Capitola Soquel Times: June 2026 by Times Publishing Group, Inc.

Sister Act at Cabrillo Stage

By MINDY PEDLAR

County Supervisors Review Long-Term Strategic Plan

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors reviewed a proposed long-range strategic plan May 19 that calls for building more than 2,500 housing units, cutting traffic deaths, expanding mental health care, reducing homelessness and using artificial intelligence to improve county services by 2032.

Capitola resident Jen Dugan celebrated her birthday on May 4 and threw a party for more than 3,000 people the weekend before, but not

Music and Vocal Director Daniel Goldsmith works with the cast of Sister Act.

Sister Act at Cabrillo Stage, By Mindy Pedlar Community News

5 Capitola’s Premier Classic Car Event Returns to the Coast • Community Foundation Awards $15,000 Grant to Damians Ladder

6 County Supervisors Review Long-Term Strategic Plan: Ambitious Goals Laid Out to Improve Residents’ Lives, By Jon Chown

7 Assembly Member Addis Names Small Business of the Year

9 Supporting the Local Yoga Community Through Change

10 The Healthy Way Celebrates 40 Years of Service to the Community June 27

11 Congratulations Soquel High Valedictorians!

12 Joe Ortiz to Bring Musical Memoir to Actors’ Theater

13 Proposed County Budget Freezes Hiring, Cuts Vacant Positions: New CEO Nicole Coburn Releases First Spending Plan, By Jon Chown

15 Roundabouts Taken Off the Table: City Council Nixes Plan for Bay Avenue Corridor, By Jon Chown

16 Hexavalent Chromium Found in Soquel Creek Water District Wells: Local Drinking Water Met State Standards Anyway, By Jon Chown • Water District Approves $19.5 Million Contract to Chromium-6, By Jon Chown

17 She Threw A Huge Party on her Birthday, but Few Knew: UnSCruz Producer Celebrates Another Successful Event, By Jon Chown

20 City of Capitola Moves Toward District Elections: Legal Threat Prompted Change, By Jon Chown

22 A Pioneer of the Beach: Aptos Woman Writes of Early Life as Lifeguard, By Jon Chown

24 STS9 Amazes Crowd With Sound and Vision: Santa Cruz-Based Band Headlines Music Festival, By Jon Chown

26 ‘Sip for Second Harvest’ Returns to Seascape Beach Resort: Local Craft Beers Added to Wine Tasting Event

27 City Pens Letter Opposing Expansion of Marine Protected Area

31 YRB Raises $40,000 at Annual Event • Ag Commissioner Urges Public to Look for Pests on Grape Plants • Jacob’s Heart Golf Fundraiser Seeks Support • Paving Projects to Continue Through July

Monthly Horoscope • Page 26 – The Light of Gemini (the Two Brothers) & Mercury with Wings on His Feet, By Risa D’Angeles Community Calendar | Arts & Entertainment • Pages 28, 29

Featured Columnists

14 Let’s Celebrate SUESD Students Who’ve Excelled, By Scott J. Turnbull, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District

23 Understanding Chromium-6 in Our Water — and What We Are Doing About It, From the Soquel Creek Water District

27 Van Gogh and the Yarn, By Joe Ortiz

30 What Socrates Can Teach Us About the Dangers of Groupthink, By Dr. Lori Butterworth, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist

Times Publishing Group, Inc.

9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards. Entire contents ©2026. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission

PHONE: (831) 688-7549

FAX: (831) 688-7551

GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com

Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com

Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com

Editor: info@cyber-times.com

Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com

Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com

Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com

Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com

Production: production@cyber-times.com

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com

COVER STORY

“Sister Act” from page 1

It comes as a surprise to everyone, especially Deloris, that her hideout soon becomes her chance to shine as she turns the convent’s dull, soulless choir into an invigorating, heart-thumping sensation. Can nuns rock out? Can they bring down the house? You bet they can!

“This summer needs to be about joy,”

Artistic Director, Andrea L. Hart says “and Sister Act is the perfect vessel to deliver it! It’s a show where strangers become family, confidence blooms and music transforms a community from the inside out. It celebrates the power of finding your voice and lifting it up.”

To bring this show to life, Hart has put together a dynamic creative team which includes Director, Rebecca Haley Clark, Choreographer Babe Payne and Music and Vocal Director, Daniel Goldsmith.

Goldsmith will also be conducting the pit

band saying “orchestra is too highfalutin for this kind of show. We’ll have 11 pieces, a six person rhythm section with two keyboards, guitar, bass, drums and percussion, and a really solid five person wind/brass sectiongreat players all around. The score, influenced by popular music of the 70s, should feel organic and spontaneous while keeping the musical authenticity of the genres. The audience can expect to hear a little R&B, soul and disco in addition to soul-stirring gospel music that will bring even non-believers to their feet!”

From creating Vegas style nightclub acts to getting a group of Nuns to move while singing sounds challenging but Choreographer Babe Payne is up to the task. “This musical takes place in the late 70s” Babe says, “so we’ll have a lot of fun dancing like they did then. As the story evolves, there is a really interesting split between reality, fantasy and where the two meet. It’s a wonderful opportunity tell the story through movement. I hope the audience leaves the theatre feeling lighter and more joyful, wanting to see more live theatre and, of course, wanting to dance!”

“Cabrillo Stage” page 7

Edwards

Bill Pooley, Erik Long

Camisa Composti

Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine

Cathe Race

Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti

Michael Oppenheimer photography Trusted Products. Professional Service.

Choreographer Babe Payne (left) and Director Rebecca Haley Clark.

From left: Marlene Evelyn Bruce (Nun/Inmate), Kiana Van Kregten (Nun/Bar Patron) and Mindy Pedlar (Mother Superior/Nun).

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 13, 2026, as Capitola Village welcomes the 19th Annual Capitola Rod and Classic Custom Car Show from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This highly anticipated seaside tradition brings together an impressive lineup of vintage and custom vehicles, celebrating decades of automotive design and craftsmanship.

Hosted by the Capitola Public Safety and Community Foundation, the event is organized by a passionate team of local volunteers dedicated to supporting community and public safety programs throughout Capitola and Santa Cruz County. The festivities begin early, with registered participants gathering for a special escorted cruise into Capitola Village along the scenic coastline beginning at 8:30 a.m.

With the Pacific Ocean as its backdrop, the show offers visitors the perfect opportunity to experience beautifully restored classics ranging from timeless convertibles and hot rods to iconic muscle cars. Guests can meet vehicle owners, hear the stories behind the restorations, and

Capitola’s Premier Classic Car Event Returns to the Coast Community Foundation Awards

spend the day enjoying Capitola’s restaurants, boutiques, and beachfront atmosphere.

Whether you’re a lifelong car enthusiast, a collector, or simply looking for a memorable day by the sea, the Capitola Car Show offers something for everyone. Families, visitors, and locals alike return year after year to enjoy the unique blend of nostalgia, community spirit, and coastal charm.

Widely recognized as one of California’s standout classic car events, the show continues to attract participants and spectators from across the region. “The Capitola Car Show has always been a favorite community tradition,” said Kurt Langhoff, President of the Capitola Foundation.

“There’s something special about seeing these incredible vehicles displayed along the coast while bringing people together to celebrate automotive history and community pride.” n

Registration for vehicle entries remains open (https:// www.capitolafoundation.com/group-events) and organizers encourage participants to reserve their spot soon. Don’t miss this exciting day of classic cars, ocean views, and family-friendly fun in beautiful Capitola Village.

$15,000 Grant to Damians

Damians Ladder has received a $15,000 general operating support grant from Community Foundation

Santa Cruz County to help seniors and people with disabilities remain safely in their homes through essential home repairs and modifications.

The funding will support the organization’s mission of providing low- or

Ladder

no-cost repairs for older adults and residents with disabilities throughout Santa Cruz County.

For many seniors, minor home issues — such as broken steps, missing grab bars or doors that no longer close properly — can threaten their ability to live independently.

“Damians Ladder” page 7

Last year’s winner, a 1954 Cadillac Convertible.

County Supervisors Review Long-Term Strategic Plan

Ambitious Goals Laid Out to Improve Residents’ Lives

By JON CHOWN

The proposed “County Strategic Plan 2026–2032” is meant to guide county decisions, priorities and spending over the next six years while reflecting what residents said they want for the future of Santa Cruz County.

“The purpose of the strategic plan is to set forth a vision grounded in the hopes of the people that we serve,” County CEO Nicole D. Coburn wrote in a message included with the report.

The plan lays out a vision for a county that is “healthy, safe, and affordable,” while also being “culturally diverse, economically inclusive, and environmentally vibrant.”

County leaders said the document is designed to act as a roadmap for government decisions, programs and investments through 2032. It includes goals, measurements and strategies in six major focus areas: housing and infrastructure; health, wellbeing and connection; safety and justice; environment, climate and resilience; access to basic needs and support; and economy and job growth.

Among the county’s top goals are permitting more than 2,541 housing units by 2032, cutting transportation deaths and serious injuries by 25%, increasing mental health treatment beds by 50%, and reducing recidivism by 10% over six years.

The plan also calls for reducing homelessness by helping more than half of unhoused households find permanent housing, expanding community gathering spaces, growing family-wage jobs and using artificial intelligence to improve county services.

What’s in the Plan

County officials said the plan is built around three main values: collaboration, accessibility and integrity.

The proposal also includes what county leaders call “implementation lenses,” which are meant to guide decision-making. Those lenses focus on health impacts, equity and financial responsibility.

Housing is one of the biggest parts of the plan. County leaders said the county’s housing shortage affects workers, families and renters across all income levels.

The county hopes to permit more than 2,541 housing units by 2032 by streamlining permits, coordinating infrastructure improvements and supporting affordable housing projects.

Transportation safety is another major focus. The county wants to reduce deadly and serious crashes in unincorporated areas by 25% through safer roads, bike and pedestrian improvements and expanded public transportation options. The plan also mentions continued support for projects like the rail trail.

Mental health care was identified as one of the county’s most urgent unmet needs. The plan calls for a 50% increase in step-down treatment beds and better coordination between health, housing and justice systems.

Second District Supervisor Kim DeSerpa said she was grateful the plan addressed mental health care needs, including more room to care for patients, instead of paying other counties for the care. “It’d be much cheaper to house people in hour own community, so thank you for putting that in there,” she said.

The strategy on safety and justice focuses on reducing recidivism by 10% over six years.

Assembly Member Addis Names

Small Business of the Year

Paradise Beach Grille has been recognized as the 2026 Small Business of the Year by Dawn Addis as part of a statewide Small Business Month initiative organized by the California Small Business Development Center Network.

The SBDC Network is a nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs and small businesses across California.

“I’m proud to recognize Paradise Beach Grille as my 2026 ‘Small Business of the Year,’” Addis said in a statement.

Addis said she visited the restaurant following the 2023 winter storms and witnessed “the damage, the debris, and the uncertainty facing this beloved local business.”

“What we see today is a full rebuild driven by resilience, heart, and an unwavering commitment to the community,” Addis said. “Paradise Beach Grille has

“Cabrillo Stage” from page 4

Sister Act marks Director Rebecca Haley Clark’s first time working with Cabrillo Stage. Her most recent work includes directing Charlotte Jones’ comedy-drama Humble Boy at The Western Stage, The Coast Starlight by Keith Bunin at San Jose Stage Company as well as the critically acclaimed Master Harold and the Boys by Athol Fugard for Santa Cruz Shakespeare. As rehearsals continue, she looks forward to seeing how “communion, theatre, and worship play with each other. I think we all worship coming together in different ways” says Clark. “I’m looking forward to exploring that through a musical about how performance can bring us together. The world needs a little hope right now and if we can provide that through a

“Damians Ladder” from page 5

Damians Ladder addresses those needs through small but critical repairs designed to improve safety and accessibility.

“We are deeply grateful to Community Foundation Santa Cruz County for this generous grant,” said Ann Bennett Young, executive director of Damians Ladder. “This support goes directly to the heart of our work — making sure seniors and people with disabilities in our community can stay in the homes they love safely and with dignity.”

Kevin Heuer, director of engagement and impact for Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, said the grant reflects the foundation’s commitment to supporting nonprofits during a challenging financial climate.

“The charitable funds that families have

come back

stronger, continuing to serve as a staple of Capitola’s local economy and helping foster a vibrant, thriving coastal community for residents and visitors alike. Today, we celebrate a well-earned achievement. Congratulations!”

story about following your passion, never giving up, and finding the beauty and strengths in the people around you then I think we will be successful.”

Sister Act promises to fill the theatre with laughter, heart and radiant show stopping music! n

Purchase tickets online: www.cabrillostage.

Performances are July 9th through Aug. 2.

All performances are at the Crocker Theater on the Cabrillo College campus, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Thurs, Fri, and Sat evening at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Please note there is no performance on Thursday, July 16. Box Office opens June 18 for phone and walk-up sales Thursday-Saturday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 1 hour prior to each performance or call 831-479-6154

established here serve as our community’s permanent resource for strengthening the civic fabric that makes Santa Cruz County resilient,” Heuer said. “It’s a time of fiscal uncertainty for many nonprofits, but we’re proud to provide steady, reliable funding to our trusted partners so they can continue their vital work caring for our community.”

General operating support grants allow nonprofits to cover essential expenses such as tools, materials, coordination and outreach, helping organizations continue providing services to residents in need. n

•••

To learn more about Damians Ladder, request services, volunteer or donate, visit damiansladder. org or email atyourservice@damiansladder.org.

For more information about Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, visit cfscc.org or email cfhelp@cfscc.org.

The Maier family poses for a photo.

County leaders said residents want safer communities, stronger support for crime victims and more prevention and reentry programs for people leaving the justice system.

One of the plan’s largest sections focuses on homelessness and access to basic needs.

County officials said homelessness in Santa Cruz County is driven by high housing

costs, a lack of affordable housing and gaps in services for people with health or behavioral health needs.

The county wants to maintain a rate where more than half of unhoused households move into permanent housing. The strategy calls for better coordination between housing, health care and social service agencies, while expanding supportive housing and improving access to services.

The report notes that African Americans,

Native Americans, LGBTQ+ residents and men are disproportionately represented among people experiencing homelessness. County leaders also said adults with disabilities are becoming a larger part of the unhoused population.

Third District Supervisor Justin Cummings said he’d still like to see the plan address housing more substantively. “How do we build affordable units? Because we can build housing and we can meet all the numbers, but if the number of units that we’re building aren’t ones that people can afford, then were building housing without actually addressing the problem,” he said, also noting that the community and local economy is more stable when community members like teachers could afford homes. “A lot of middle class people are mostly renting because they can’t afford home ownership, right? And we have a hard time recruiting and retaining people in a variety of different sectors.”

The plan also includes a future federal policy response strategy that is expected to return in fall 2026. County officials said changes in federal funding, immigration enforcement and health and housing policies could have major impacts on local residents and county programs.

Economic development is another major priority in the proposed plan.

County officials said industries such as biotechnology, health care, aviation and emerging drone technology could help create more family-wage jobs in the county. Tourism, agriculture and hospitality were also described as key parts of the local economy.

The county’s goal is to increase the share of family-wage jobs to 46% by strengthening workforce partnerships, expanding career training and supporting higher-paying industries.

The report points to partnerships with groups such as Cabrillo College, University of California, Santa Cruz and El Pajaro Community Development Corporation as important parts of workforce development efforts.

The plan also highlights the growing

role of artificial intelligence in county government.

County officials said AI tools could help reduce paperwork and administrative tasks, allowing employees to spend more time directly serving residents. The county said it hopes to create custom AI systems based on local data while avoiding privacy risks, surveillance concerns and bias.

The proposal includes goals for improving service response times, increasing transparency and making services easier to access across different languages and communities.

How the Plan Was Made

Officials said one of the most important parts of the process was hearing directly from residents.

According to the county, the plan was shaped through more than 4,500 points of community engagement between 2024 and 2026. That outreach included town halls, surveys, focus groups and meetings across all five supervisorial districts.

Supervisor Monica Martinez, District 5, said having the plan in regular language that people can understand has resonated with the public.

“It has just been so refreshing to go through a process that continues to emerge based on real feedback and I think that is reflected throughout this entire document.,” she said.

The county said it made special efforts to reach groups that are often left out of government planning, including farmworkers, immigrants, seniors, youth, people experiencing homelessness, small business owners and rural residents.

County officials said five major themes came up again and again during the outreach process.

Housing was described as the county’s top issue across nearly every community. Residents also said mental health services remain one of the biggest unmet needs.

People repeatedly pointed to the high cost of living as a major barrier, saying wages have not kept up with housing and other expenses.

Residents also stressed the importance of trust in government, especially through bilingual services, trusted community partners and clear communication.

Another common concern was the difficulty of navigating county systems and services.

The county said the strategic plan is meant to stay flexible as conditions change. Two major strategies — a federal policy response strategy and a climate action strategy — are still being developed and are expected to return in 2026 and 2027.

“I’d like to see this continue to be refined down,” said First District Supervisor Manu Koenig. He referrred to the Rule of Three, noting how easy it is to remember and repeat three simple ideas. “What I see here are six things, seven things. Let’s just keep simplifying.”

Supervisors are expected to continue gathering feedback from residents, county staff and community organizations before the final version comes back for approval later this summer. n

COMMUNITY NEWS

Supporting the Local Yoga Community Through Change

The recent announcement that Breathe + Oneness Yoga Studio will close in early June may leave many community members searching for ways to maintain the routines, relationships, and wellness practices they value.

For years, Breathe + Oneness has served as a gathering place for people seeking healing, stress relief, connection, and personal growth. Through yoga classes, sound baths, reiki sessions, retreats, tea gatherings, and meaningful conversations, the studio became much more than a business — it became a home for many in the community.

Leslie and Carrie have offered heart, soul, and guidance to countless individuals throughout the past decade. Decisions like this are never easy, especially when a business is also deeply connected to family and community. I can only imagine the care and reflection that went into this transition, and I want to express heartfelt gratitude for all they have contributed to the wellness com munity in Santa Cruz County.

people build real friendships and healthy habits through these spaces, so when one closes, it impacts the entire community.”

At SoulCare Studios, we understand the importance of belonging and connection. Like Breathe + Oneness, we strive to create a welcoming and supportive wellness family where people feel seen, supported, and known. One member recently described SoulCare as “Cheers for the wellness community — everyone knows your name.”

Located only about 10 minutes away, SoulCare offers healing through movement, mental health services, functional medicine, reiki, sound healing, workshops, and community events designed to support the whole person.

For many dedicated members, this change may feel deeply personal. Losing a familiar wellness space, trusted teachers, and daily connections can feel like grieving the loss of a family member or close friend. These feelings are real and deserve to be honored.

“We know how important a supportive yoga environment can be,” said Cindy HillFord, owner of SoulCare Studios. “Many

“Our goal is simply to help people feel welcome,” Hill-Ford said. “Change can be difficult, but it can also become an opportunity to reconnect, heal, and continue growing.”

To support community members during this transition,

SoulCare is offering a complimentary week of movement classes for anyone interested in exploring the studio and continuing their wellness journey.

Whether you choose to visit SoulCare or another local studio, please be gentle with yourself during this transition. Feel the feelings, stay connected to your community, and trust that new opportunities and meaningful connections can still emerge from change. n

Introducing The New C700 Series Fiberglass Windows

SANTA CRUZ — The Healthy Way has reached a major milestone this year that is a measure of its own health: 40 years in business in Santa Cruz County and the pleasure of serving over 10,000 clients.

There have been some major challenges over the years, like the ’89 earthquake, the CZU fire, Covid, recessionary periods, increased competition, but the company has enjoyed steady growth and has never laid off any employees.

The Healthy Way currently employs seven Santa Cruz County residents at their original location: 3251 Mission Drive, near Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz.

The Healthy Way founder and president Cheri Bianchini was a hard-working, 28-yearold nurse when she decided to leave her head nurse position at Stanford Hospital to help people improve their health and lifestyle. She purchased The Diet Center of Santa Cruz County franchise and four years later re-launched the business as The Healthy Way.

“Realizing what we eat is ground zero for all health, we pioneered an approach that continues to be a cornerstone of our successful programs today,” said Bianchini. “We help people overcome their addiction to sugar and highly processed foods and teach them strategies for proper nutrition for long-term weight loss.”

When clients eat well to lose weight, they don’t feel deprived.

“I’ve never eaten so well!” exclaimed Ed Martinez, a Healthy Way graduate who has maintained a 30-pound weight loss.

Open most days 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Healthy Way’s caring staff, who have all been clients, are dedicated to providing extraordinary customer service and ongoing weight maintenance support.

According to Bianchini, “The shining glory at Healthy Way is our long-term staff, all of which have been working here more than

20 years! They really know their stuff and we are like a finely oiled machine, working together to create lasting health benefits.”

Local music icon Sherry Austin, who successfully lost 30 pounds with the help of The Healthy Way several years ago, continues to participate in the maintenance program to ensure her ongoing success.

Bianchini says long-term success rates are the reason for The Healthy Way’s longevity.

“What I am most proud of is that two years after completing The Healthy Way, 60% of clients are within five pounds of when they graduated,” she explained. “That’s unheard of in the industry. Local health professionals realize this and regularly refer us clients.”

The Healthy Way is also proud of their long-standing partnership with Hospice of Santa Cruz County. Dozens of fundraisers over the years have generated over $10,000 in donations to Hospice. Cheri Bianchini is an active volunteer for Hospice, leading Loss of Spouse groups for their Grief Support Program.

Anniversary Celebration Planned The Healthy Way is holding a 40th anniversary health fair extravaganza to thank its many clients and Santa Cruz County for 4 wonderful decades!

The event will feature a variety of free activities including lots of healthy food sampling and giveaways, cooking demonstrations, health consultations, special pricing on programs, lots of free raffle prizes, health related vendors, and class presentations by internationally known icons of health, Dr. Christopher Hobbs and Rainya Dann.

Music will be provided by KPIG radio who will broadcast live from The Healthy Way parking lot. n

The celebration will take place Saturday, June 27, noon – 3 p.m. at 3251 Mission Drive, Santa Cruz, near Dominican Hospital. For more information about The Healthy Way and the celebration schedule visit www.thehealthyway.us.

Soquel High School has announced the valedictorians for the Class of 2026. From left: Natasha Ackerstein, Melina Beautz, Sarah Cobos, Django Daillak, Mallely ValdezGarcia, Lamar Moslimany, Thomas Obrero, Summer Shields, Asher Taylor, Ryder Walding.

Joe Ortiz to Bring Musical Memoir to Actors’ Theater

Capitola songwriter and restaurateur

Joe Ortiz will bring his musical memoir Escaping Queens–Over the Roof to the Santa Cruz Actors’ Theater this summer.

The production runs Thursdays through Sundays from July 3 through Aug. 2 at Santa Cruz Actors’ Theater.

The musical tells the story of an immigrant family living near New York’s Queensboro Bridge. The family struggles with poverty and a father’s problems with alcohol, gambling and money. At the center of the story is 12-year-old Joey, who learns about family, music and hope while trying to escape a difficult life.

The show includes colorful characters such as a Puerto Rican father, an Italian mother, a teenage daughter, a neighborhood bookie and a group of Doo Wop singers.

Ortiz based the musical on his memoir, Pastina—My Father’s Misfortune, My Mother’s

the father of the family. Saucedo previously played the lead role in Cabrillo Stage’s production of Sweeney Todd. Lori Rivera stars as Mama, the family’s mother. Rivera has performed in Santa Cruz productions for many years.

The musical is co-directed by Greg Fritsch and Cathy D. Warner.

According to reviewer Wallace Baine, the musical turns “an earthy story full of pain and passion into an elegant and sophisticated evening of cultivated emotional complexity.”

Ortiz is also known in Santa Cruz County as co-owner of Gayle›s Bakery in Capitola. In addition to his bakery work, he has written theater productions including Bread!—The Musical and Smoke Cabaret n

at www.santacruzactors theatre.org/tickets.

Good Soup. The production first premiered at Cabrillo Stage in 2012.

Actor Adam Saucedo stars

Herman,

Greg Fritsch at Rehearsal

Lori Rivera and Darren Daily

Proposed County Budget Freezes Hiring, Cuts Vacant Positions

New CEO Nicole Coburn

Releases First Spending Plan

By JON CHOWN

SANTA CRUZ — County of Santa Cruz has released its proposed $1.29 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, the first budget presented by new County Executive Officer Nicole D. Coburn.

According to a letter Coburn released at the same time, the budget protects essential public services, avoids layoffs and maintains core operations despite a projected $23.2 million General Fund deficit and growing financial pressure from federal policy changes, labor costs and inflation.

The proposed budget includes an $844.1 million General Fund and supports 2,682.28 full-time equivalent positions. That is a reduction of 57.88 funded positions from the current fiscal year, though offi cials said no employees would lose their jobs because the eliminated positions are vacant.

The largest staffing reductions are in the Health Services Agency, which would lose 23.1 vacant positions, and the Human Services Department, which would lose 25.5 vacant positions. Coburn wrote that those departments face the greatest financial pressure from reduced federal funding.

“When we began developing the FY 2026-27 Proposed Budget, the County faced a projected General Fund deficit of approximately $23 million — one that, absent corrective action, was forecast to exceed $67 million in subsequent years,” Coburn wrote.

According to her letter, federal policy changes under H.R. 1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” are reducing funding and increasing costs for public health, behavioral health and social services programs.

“This budget arrives at a difficult moment,” Coburn’s budget overview states. “Unprecedented federal policy changes under H.R. 1 are reducing funding for programs that thousands of Santa Cruz County families depend on, and those reductions will deepen in the years ahead.”

To close the budget gap, the county used a combination of spending cuts, hiring restrictions, increased revenues and one-time funding sources. The plan includes a countywide hiring freeze on vacant General Fund positions, targeted reductions in services and supplies, and the elimination of nearly 58 vacant jobs across county departments.

The budget also increases revenue through higher reimbursement rates at County Health Centers and a new parking fee pilot program at County Parks.

According to Coburn, the county will use $43 million in one-time resources to balance the budget, including $30.8 million from General Fund reserves and $12.2 million from department trust funds and other non-recurring sources.

As a result, county reserves are projected to fall from 12.5% to 10.4% of General Fund expenses.

“This approach has a cost,” the budget document states. “These resources will not be available in FY 2027-28.”

Coburn warned that the projected deficit could exceed $67 million in future years unless the county finds long-term solutions through new revenues, spending reductions or changes to county services.

“The structural imbalance persists,” the budget states. “The most significant ongoing structural drivers are labor cost growth … and the escalating impacts of H.R. 1 on County health and human services programs.”

Coburn called the budget a temporary solution while the county works on broader financial reforms.

“I want to be clear that this budget is a stopgap,” Coburn wrote. “We have challenging work ahead of us, and the Board of Supervisors, County staff, community partners, and members of the public will need to work together on solutions.”

Despite the financial challenges, the budget continues funding for several county priorities.

“County Budget” page 18

Let’s Celebrate SUESD Students Who’ve Excelled

By SCOTT J. TURNBULL, Superintendent, Soquel Union Elementary School District

With the 2025-26 school year complete, it’s a great time to celebrate students who embody the spirit of our schools. These students remind us our future is bright.

Main Street Elementary Deacon McConville

Teachers at Main Street encourage qualities beyond the Main Street Way — responsibility, honesty, respect and caring — including integrity, perseverance, kindness, compassion, determination and humor.

Deacon McConville consistently demonstrates them all.

Spend time with the fifth-grade team and you’ll hear, “Deacon for president.” Spend time with his classmates and you’ll hear, “Be like Deacon.” Few students are admired so deeply by both peers and adults.

Whether on the baseball field, in PE, during math and writing, or working with

younger students, Deacon encourages others, works hard and leaves no one behind.

We are proud and grateful for our time with Deacon and look forward to all he will accomplish.

New Brighton Middle School Liv Rinaldi

Liv Rinaldi is one of New Brighton Middle School’s eighth-grade valedictorians and an outstanding student leader.

As student council president, Liv leads with kindness, respon sibility and integrity while setting a positive example for her peers.

Known for her strong work ethic and genuine care for others, Liv contributes both in and out of the classroom. Whether organizing school events, supporting classmates or leading on campus, she brings positivity, maturity and leadership to everything she does.

In addition to her academic success, Liv participates in roller derby, volleyball

and basketball, demonstrating dedication and teamwork on and off the court. She also enjoys reading and writing.

Next year, Liv will attend Soquel High School, where she plans to continue participating in sports and leadership activities. We are proud of all she has accomplished at NBMS and know she has a bright future ahead.

Jason Salguera Ramirez

Jason Salguera Ramirez is one of New Brighton Middle School’s eighth-grade valedictorians and an exceptional AVID student known for his hard work, determination and character.

Jason consistently demonstrates responsibility, perseverance and a positive attitude, making him a role model for his peers and a valued member of the school community.

Outside school, Jason enjoys flag football, going to the gym and playing guitar. Through his own initiative, he taught himself guitar by watching YouTube videos, reflecting his commitment to independent learning and personal growth.

Next year, Jason will attend Soquel High School, where he plans to continue pursuing his goals. He hopes to attend Stanford University and become a doctor. We are proud of Jason’s accomplishments and excited to see what he achieves next.

We also recognize this year’s additional eighth-grade valedictorians: Elaina Kravtsov, Current Lewis, Vanessa Maassen and Estella Zappacosta. Through hard work, perseverance and academic excellence, each has made a meaningful impact on the NBMS community. We are proud of all they have accomplished and look forward to their continued success.

Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary Esmeralda Tran

Esmeralda Tran is a true leader at Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary.

brain science and emotional literacy with support from the school counselor.

As a fifth grader, Esmeralda played a key role on the SCG Green Team, leading a native plant awareness campaign and tours through the school’s gardens and outdoor learning spaces to highlight watershed awareness and the benefits of native plants.

“If I could change the world, I would stop war and make our planet peaceful and happy,” Esmeralda said. “I would also end littering and climate change so we can show our planet we can be kind to it.”

Esmeralda regularly contributes thoughtful ideas in leadership, Green Team and the classroom. Her teacher, Ms. Denham, praised her growth and described her as “a gift to have in class.”

At SCG, Esmeralda especially enjoys student leadership, creating projects such as native bee hotels, and promoting native plant awareness in the community.

An avid reader and animal enthusiast, Esmeralda hopes to become a veterinarian or author. Next year at New Brighton, she looks forward to meeting new people. Thank you, Esmeralda, for your leadership and kindness. Go Dolphins!

Soquel Elementary Pietra Paixao

Fifth grader Pietra Paixao, a student in Ms. Flaniken’s class at Soquel Elementary School, is recognized for her leadership, dedication and wide range of interests.

Pietra hopes to one day attend Harvard University or Stanford University and pursue a career in law.

Ms. Flaniken described Pietra as “a hardworking scholar-athlete” who is “kind, helpful and looks out for others.”

Last year, as a fourth grader, Esmeralda traveled to Sacramento with the student leadership team to speak at a wellness and education symposium about students’ work analyzing socialemotional data and creating an action plan for the school. Student leaders taught TK-5 students about neurodiversity,

Pietra plays competitive soccer for Santa Cruz United 12U as both a striker and defender and looks forward to participating in track and field at New Brighton Middle School. She also enjoys horseback riding and recently earned first place and her first gold medal in her first jiu-jitsu tournament. Pietra is currently a white belt and draws inspiration from her father, a jiu-jitsu coach.

At Soquel Elementary, Pietra participates in leadership, theater and chorus. She especially enjoys math and pottery and values staying connected to her Brazilian heritage by learning Portuguese and traveling to Brazil. n

Roundabouts Taken Off the Table

City Council Nixes Plan for Bay Avenue Corridor

By JON CHOWN

The City of Capitola has nixed major changes along Bay Avenue and will not go forward with plan to put roundabouts in the city’s busy corridor.

The decision to not move forward with roundabouts was made at the May 14 City Council meeting, despite a report presented to the City Council by city staff and consultants that supported roundabouts at two key intersections after more than a year of study, public outreach and traffic analysis.

The Bay Avenue Corridor Project focuses on improving traffic flow between Highway 1, neighborhoods, schools, shopping areas, senior housing and Capitola Village.

City leaders first selected the roundabout approach in February 2025. Since then, staff members have met with businesses, property owners, residents and community groups to refine the plan. The proposal included building single-lane roundabouts at Bay Avenue and Hill Street, and at Bay Avenue and Capitola Road. The project would have also added a mid-block pedestrian crossing near Center Street, and upgraded lighting and pavement marking.

That was tossed aside, however, after public outcry over the roundabouts. “I have lived in Capitola for over 50 years and have walked through that intersection almost every day for the last 20 years. The suggested roundabout is not going to solve the hazard

to pedestrians. The only solution is signal lights,” wrote Ron Compton to the City Council, one of dozens of letters opposing the plan.

According to the city report, roundabouts were chosen over traditional traffic signals because studies showed they would improve traffic operations, reduce delays and provide safety benefits. As an example, staff pointed to a recently completed project just 30 miles south in the city of Marina where four roundabouts were installed, two of them close to the busy intersection of Imjin Parkway and Reservation Road, where motorists traveling between Salinas and the Monterey Bay would often be backed up during commute times.

“Accidents have dropped dramatically. Serious accidents are about zero,” Marina City Manager Layne Long said of the project. “We love those two roundabouts. They have totally changed the dynamics of that road.”

According to the report, Bay Avenue’s traffic problems are tied to how busy Highway 1 is, meaning congestion is expected to continue when traffic is thick on the highway, regardless of the final design. So, instead of eliminating traffic backups, the project was intended to make travel safer and more predictable.

“Roundabouts” page 18

Deborah Cypert Owner Bobbie Frandeen

Traffic flows through a roundabout in Marina on May 20.

Hexavalent Chromium Found in Soquel Creek Water District Wells Local Drinking Water Met State Standards Anyway

By JON CHOWN

SOQUEL — A new water quality report from the Soquel Creek Water District says tests found elevated levels of hexavalent chromium, also known as chrome-6, in several wells. However, local drinking water did meet state and federal health standards in 2025.

The annual Consumer Confidence Report, released by the district, covers drinking water for customers in Soquel, Aptos, Capitola, Rio Del Mar, Seascape, La Selva Beach and Opal Cliffs. The district serves more than 40,000 residents through 15 active groundwater wells connected to the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin.

According to the report, chrome-6 levels exceeded California’s new maximum contaminant level in three of the district’s 15 active production wells. The report said water systems the size of Soquel Creek Water District are not considered out of compliance until after Oct. 1, 2026. District officials said they are already working on a solution.

“Soquel Creek Water District has been proactive in preparing for the new chrome-6 requirements. We’ve already received State approval of our compliance plan to meet the new standard. Our team has worked diligently to pilot treatment technologies, complete planning and design, and move the project forward to the construction phase, which will begin this year,” said Brice Dahlmeier, associate engineer and project manager for Soquel Creek Water District.

micrograms per liter in 2025. California’s new limit is 10 micrograms per liter.

Despite the chrome-6 issue, the district said all other tested contaminants met drinking water standards.

According to the report, construction of the treatment facility will start in the fall. Chrome-6 is a form of chromium that can occur naturally in rocks and soil but can also come from industrial pollution. The chemical became widely known after a legal case in Southern California involving groundwater contamination.

The report said testing found chrome-6 levels ranging from “not detected” to 17

The district tested for 106 different substances in 2025, including arsenic, nitrate, bacteria, pesticides and disinfection byproducts. The report said all samples complied with state and federal rules aside from the new chrome-6 regulation.

Water in the district comes entirely from groundwater pumped from two underground aquifers: the Purisima Formation and the Aromas Red Sands Aquifer. The report said water from the Purisima Formation naturally contains higher levels of iron and manganese and is treated before reaching customers.

The report also described possible pollution risks to the groundwater basin. According to the district, the Aromas Red Sands Aquifer is most vulnerable to septic

systems, sewer leaks, fertilizer runoff and pesticides. The Purisima Formation faces risks from dry cleaners, gas stations, auto repair shops, sewer systems and underground storage tanks.

The district said lead testing at 15 local schools was completed as part of California’s school drinking water safety program. Officials also reported that all district-owned and customer-owned service lines have been classified as non-lead.

The report noted that small amounts of contaminants can still be found in drinking water and that their presence does not always mean the water is unsafe. Federal and state agencies set limits on contaminants to protect public health.

The district is also continuing work on its Pure Water Soquel project, which is designed to recharge groundwater supplies and stop seawater intrusion into the basin. The project uses highly treated recycled water that is purified and pumped back underground. n

Water District Approves $19.5 Million Contract to Chromium-6

By JON CHOWN

The Board of Directors of the Soquel Creek Water District on May 5 approved a nearly $19.5 million construction contract and more than $1 million in consulting agreements to move forward with a major treatment project aimed at removing hexavalent chromium from drinking water drawn from South County wells.

The board unanimously approved awarding the construction contract for the Hexavalent Chromium Treatment and Well Infrastructure Improvements Project to Clark Bros. Inc. of Fresno, the apparent low bidder among eight companies that submitted proposals for the work.

“They’re eager and ready and qualified,” said Taj Dufour, engineering manager for the district. “They’ve been in business for 60 years; they’ve completed much larger projects than this, and they’re ready to begin next month.”

The project centers on construction of a centralized treatment facility at the Bonita Well site in Aptos that will remove hexavalent chromium, also known as chromium-6, from groundwater pumped from the Aromas Red Sands aquifer.

District officials said naturally

The board unanimously approved awarding the construction contract for the Hexavalent Chromium Treatment and Well Infrastructure Improvements Project to Clark Bros. Inc. of Fresno, the apparent low bidder among eight companies that submitted proposals for the work.

occurring chromium-6 is present in the aquifer because of serpentinite rock formations common in the region.

Three district wells — San Andreas, Bonita and Seascape — currently produce water with chromium-6 levels above the state Division of Drinking Water’s maximum contaminant level of 10 micrograms per liter.

Those wells historically provide between 25% and 30% of the district’s total water production and are considered critical to maintaining operational flexibility for customers in Aptos and La Selva Beach.

The approved project includes construction of a ferrous-based reductioncoagulation-filtration treatment system

capable of processing between 500 and 2,200 gallons of water per minute at the Bonita site. The work will also include replacing pumps at the San Andreas and Bonita wells, constructing a 100,000-gallon partially buried concrete tank for filter backwash water and building sewer infrastructure connecting to Santa Cruz County sanitation lift stations.

Additional improvements include electrical and control system upgrades, chemical storage and feed systems, a backup generator, stormwater detention infrastructure, landscaping and extensive above- and below-ground piping work.

The board also declared the project “substantially complex,” allowing the district to retain 10% of contractor progress

payments during construction rather than the lower standard retention rate.

District staff reported that bids received April 21 ranged from about $19.4 million to $24.5 million. After reviewing qualifications, references and financial records, staff determined Clark Bros. met all project requirements.

“Five million dollars difference between the bidders. I’m just curious, did you look into why there was such a wide spread?” Director Carla Christensen asked Taj Dufour, engineering manager for the district.

Dufour said the district didn’t concentrate on the top end of the bids, but looked much closer at the lower bidders. He pointed out that the second lowest bidder was just $5,000 more, “So it was a competitive bid,” he said. “In the end, we’re concerned about the total.”

Construction oversight and project management will largely be handled by district engineering staff, with specialized inspection and consulting support provided by outside firms. The board also approved separate professional services agreements with AECOM and Black & Veatch to assist during construction.

“Chromium-6” page 21

She Threw A Huge Party on her Birthday, but Few Knew UnSCruz Producer Celebrates Another Successful Event

By JON CHOWN

Capitola resident Jen Dugan celebrated her birthday on May 4 and threw a party for more than 3,000 people the weekend before, but not for her birthday.

Dugan was one of the two producers who led more than 200 volunteers in creating the 14th annual UnSCruz, Santa Cruz County’s regional sanctioned Burning Man event. Only, since Santa Cruz is weird, it’s held in Tres Pinos now, after leaving the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds four years ago.

It was the first year Dugan, along with Santa Cruz resident Ronnie Boose, produced the event. She said she’d never done anything like it before.

“We’ve thrown house parties. I’m an

executive assistant, so I’ve organized some corporate events, but nothing like this,” she said.

There aren’t many things like UnScruz, which describes itself as a four-day, three-night campout celebrating art, fire, music and community. It’s built entirely by participants and there are no vendors. Instead, people come both selfprepared and ready to share. Camps are created around themes and often offer free food, drinks, a place to dance or something to experience. Artists are provided grants to bring their work to the event and share their work, which is often interactive.

“UnSCruz” page 21

Here, your heart’s in the right place.

Your heart deserves exceptional care. At Dominican Hospital, we provide just that, with complete cardiovascular services—from diagnostics and treatments to comprehensive rehabilitation, always delivered with personalized attention and compassion. We focus on your well-being, knowing that a healthy heart supports a full life for you and those you love. Offering essential screenings to advanced procedures, we’re dedicated to providing high-quality cardiovascular care. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/DominicanHearts.

Photo Credit: Andy Smith

A fire dancer performs on Saturday night before the effigy is burned.

Attendees gather around the famous art car El Pulpo Magnifico, created by Humboldt County artist Duane Flatmo.

• EASY TO MAINTAIN

“Roundabouts” from page 15

“Improvements such as reduced conflict points, clearer pedestrian crossings, and traffic calming may improve corridor function, even where congestion remains during peak periods,” the report stated.

But most of the public comments were against the project. “This might not be a big deal for a NASCAR driver, but for average folks like us, it is stressful and potentially dangerous,” said the 47-year resident of Capitola.

“Data should inform the essence of our decisions,” she said. “We dedicated staff time, we dedicated funding, $75,000 of it … and voted unanimously in February to move forward with roundabouts because they are the most optimal solution for safety and operations. The data shows this.”

Council Member Joe Clarke said that due to the public’s response, it was time to take roundabouts off the table. “We can still work on making it safer with lighting,” he said.

GROW YOUR OWN FOOD, HERBS OR FLOWERS

• CREATES HEALTHIER SOIL WITH COME VISIT OUR SHOWROOM (831) 359-0000 • 46 El Pueblo Road • Scotts Valley, CA 95066 VISA/MC ACCEPTED • LICENSED BONDED & INSURED www.KnoxGardenBox.com

The project follows controversy over an earlier “quick-build” traffic experiment at Bay Avenue and Hill Street that used temporary striping changes and lane reductions. After complaints from residents and businesses about congestion and access problems, the council directed staff in September 2025 to remove the temporary setup.

City officials stressed in the new report that the proposed roundabouts were different from the earlier pilot project because they would involve fully engineered, permanent intersection reconstruction based on detailed traffic studies.

The city held more than 10 outreach meetings with businesses, property owners and senior housing residents, along with public meetings and online comment opportunities. According to the report, many residents supported safer crossings, lower vehicle speeds and long-term investment in Bay Avenue. Others raised concerns about congestion, construction impacts and access to local businesses. There was, however, major opposition to roundabouts and it never ceased.

During comments, Council Member Melinda Orbach reminded residents and her fellow council members what the initial goals were.

“County Budget” from page 13

The county plans to maintain a $2 million Measure K investment for road paving, culvert repair and striping. Another $1 million in Measure K funding will support parks and environmental projects, with $200,000 allocated to each supervisorial district.

The budget also includes $1 million from Measure K for housing projects and another $1 million for homelessness reduction programs. County officials said the homelessness investments have helped reduce the number of unhoused people through new facilities and services.

Funding will continue for the 701 Ocean Street Housing Viability Study, which officials described as one of the county’s most significant affordable housing sites.

The budget also funds the county’s AI Elevation and Standardization Workplan 2026, including enterprise software licensing, staff training, technical support and pilot projects aimed at modernizing county operations.

“These investments are not luxuries,”

Council Member Susan Westman made a motion to nix the idea of roundabouts, which passed.

Another major part of the project involves undergrounding overhead utilities near Capitola Road through the Rule 20A program.

The city currently has about $3 million in Rule 20A credits available for underground utility work. Because the statewide program stopped issuing new allocations after 2022, officials said Bay Avenue may be the city’s last chance to use the funding source.

The report warned that delaying corridor improvements could increase future costs because roadway restoration and utility easements may need to be handled separately later.

The city has already secured $500,000 in Regional Transportation Improvement Program funding and another $250,000 in Federal Highway Infrastructure Project funding that can help support design work, right-of-way activities and future construction.

Officials said advancing the project now could improve Capitola’s chances of receiving additional state and federal grants in the future. The council put off, for now, a decision on how to proceed with that. n

Coburn said. “They will allow us to make the best and highest use of our staff, focusing on solving problems and improving services.”

The county is also moving forward with the formation of an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District in unincorporated areas to help fund infrastructure and economic development projects.

County officials said additional risks remain, including uncertainty over future federal reimbursements for storm recovery costs and potential reductions in state funding tied to the governor’s May budget revision.

“The State of California must step up,” Coburn said. “Counties, including Santa Cruz County, cannot absorb the fiscal consequences of federal policy choices alone.”

Public budget hearings are scheduled for June 10 and June 24 at the South County Government Center in Watsonville and June 11 at board chambers in Santa Cruz. n

The proposed budget is available at sccbudget.us.

Edibles and Fruit Trees • Native and appropriate plant varieties • 2 Acre Display & Sculpture Garden Open Daily 10-5:00 • 2660 E. Lake Ave. Watsonville, CA 95076 831-728-2532 • sierraazul.com • Gift Certiﬁ cates • Family Owned & Operated for 30 Years

City of Capitola Moves Toward District Elections Legal Threat Prompted Change

By JON CHOWN

Capitola has begun the process of shifting from at-large City Council elections to a district-based voting system after receiving a legal threat alleging violations of the California Voting Rights Act.

The Capitola City Council on April 30 adopted a resolution declaring its intent to transition to district elections, triggering a 90-day “safe harbor” period under state law designed to protect cities from costly litigation while they complete the process.

million defending its at-large election system, according to the consultant’s report.

The California Voting Rights Act, enacted in 2001, makes it easier to challenge at-large election systems than under federal law. Liability can be established by simply showing racially polarized voting.

At a May 14 informational meeting, city officials and consultants outlined the timeline for the transition, launched a public mapping tool and invited residents to begin shaping how future voting districts should be drawn.

The move comes after the city received a March 19 letter from Shenkman and Hughes representing the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project alleging that Capitola’s current at-large election system dilutes the ability of Latinos to elect candidates of their choice. A violation of the California Voting Rights Act, or CVRA. Under the current system, all Capitola voters elect every member of the five-seat City

“This letter is really a dishonor to this city,” said Capitola resident Cheryl Ban during public comment. “The jargon used in this letter … is just an insult, and I don’t hear anybody standing up to that. I’m really upset

Although city officials dispute the allegations, they said the decision to move forward was to avoid potentially expensive litigation that has prompted hundreds of California jurisdictions to abandon at-large systems.

“Nearly every city facing these allegations has changed its election method,” the city said in a public FAQ document prepared for residents.

According to National Demographics Corporation, the city’s consultant, jurisdictions that fought CVRA claims in court have spent from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars in legal fees and settlements. Santa Monica spent more than $12

The city held the first of two formal public hearings to gather community input before any official maps are drawn on May 28. The second is scheduled June 11. Draft district maps are expected to be released in early summer, followed by additional hearings to refine boundaries and discuss election sequencing. The council is scheduled to adopt a final map by July 23, ahead of a July 29 statutory deadline.

The transition itself would not take effect until the 2028 municipal election cycle.

Under the proposed phase-in plan, two district seats would appear on the ballot in 2028 while three council members elected at-large in 2026 would remain in office until 2030. By 2030, all council seats would be elected by district.

One of the questions facing the council is whether Capitola should adopt four districts with a citywide elected mayor or five districts with a rotating mayor selected annually by council members, as is currently done.

State law allows both structures. Cities with an even number of districts must elect a mayor citywide, while cities with an odd number may continue using a rotating mayor system.

Consultants from National Demographics Corporation presented advantages and disadvantages of each approach during the May 14 meeting.

Supporters of a rotating mayor system said it can encourage cooperation among council members and spread leadership responsibilities more evenly. Advocates for an elected mayor argued that it could provide continuity in leadership and give voters a citywide representative in addition to their district council member.

“Election Changes” page 25

“Chromium-6” from page 16

AECOM’s contract, approved for an amount not to exceed $125,107, covers environmental compliance monitoring and permit compliance support, including conditions tied to the project’s Coastal Development Permit.

Black & Veatch received approval for a contract worth up to $881,089 for engineering services during construction. The firm previously handled design work for the treatment project and serves as engineer of record.

Under the agreement, Black & Veatch will assist with design clarifications, responses to contractor requests for information, site visits, submittal reviews,

startup and commissioning support and coordination with the state Division of Drinking Water to secure final operational permitting for the new treatment facility.

The project has undergone years of environmental review and permitting.

The district originally adopted an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration for the project in 2015, with amendments approved in March 2025. A Coastal Development Permit was approved in October 2025 without appeal, and an encroachment permit was secured in March.

Funding for the construction contract and associated consulting work has been budgeted across fiscal years 2025-26 through 2027-28, according to district staff. n

“UnSCruz” from page 17

The weekend culminates with the burning of an effigy on Saturday night, complete with a fire dancing show before and a fireworks show during as the effigy is stuffed with them. This year’s effigy was a cat, an ode to the founder and longtime producer of the festival Leslie Berman of Santa Cruz.

“It’s not a festival, it’s an event,” Dugan said. For Dugan, the biggest draw is the friends she’s made and new friends she makes each year.

“I just think it’s an amazing community,” she said. “We had 220 staff members this year, a rock star staff. The artists were amazing. Every year it gets better and better.”

Most everybody seemed to agree on that. Andy Smith, who came down from the Bay Area to attend, said the event offers people a chance to experience what Burning Man is all about who might not be able to spend a week in the desert.

“It’s the big burn without the elements, stress and time commitment,” he said.

“UnScruz gives me and my wife the chance to re-connect with good friends and every year we make new, wonderful connections. The weekend is filled with creativity, fun and dancing.”

“I know a lot of people that just can’t go to Burning Man and this is the next best thing,” said Dugan.

Last year, Dugan’s birthday was on the last day of the event and this year it was the day after it was over. Between the two dates, she spent countless hours working on this year’s UnSCruz. She said without Boose’s help and her husband Sean’s support, she’d never been able to do it.

“It was beautiful watching all these people just enjoying it. It made it all worthwhile,” she said. n

The effigy burns on Saturday night.

UnSCruz co-producers Jen Dugan and Ronnie Boose

A Pioneer of the Beach Aptos

BWoman Writes of Early Life as Lifeguard

By JON CHOWN

efore Baywatch turned California lifeguards into pop culture icons running in slow motion down the beach, Aptos resident Debbie Friedman was already on the job — pulling swimmers from dangerous surf, responding to car crashes and breaking barriers as one of California’s first female ocean lifeguards.

Now the 66-year-old Debbie Friedman is telling those stories in her new memoir, Guarded: Women, Water, and Saving Lives, which follows the first generation of women who entered the male-dominated world of California ocean lifeguarding in the late 1970s.

“Nothing had been written about that generation,” Friedman said. “And that’s a big part of why I wrote it.”

Friedman began lifeguarding in 1978 at Huntington and San Clemente state beaches. She said she was the only woman standing on the starting line during her first tryout.

“Baywatch is still relevant today. That’s the public touchstone, it’s what people think of when you mention lifeguarding,” she said. “People look for lifeguards now.”

But Friedman said the real experience was far different from the television version.

“Think about yourself in the late teens and 20s, and charged with life and death responsibilities, and your coming of age,” she said. “I write a lot about the fear that nobody loses their life.”

She said the work created lifelong friendships and shaped who she became.

“These people are your tribe,” Friedman said. “It just helped balance who I became, the woman I wanted to become.”

Friedman worked as an ocean lifeguard for 12 years before moving to Santa Cruz County in 1989. She now lives in Aptos and said she still walks the beaches below her home and watches the ocean.

In the book, Friedman mixes her own memories with stories from other early women lifeguards across California, including pioneering surfer and lifeguard Joyce Hoffman.

“Different women up and down the coast of California, we experienced different cultures, different beaches with different conditions,” she said. “It wasn’t all the same story.”

“Guarded” page 25

Debbie Friedman holds a copy of her book.

Photo courtesy Ed Vodrazka

Kim Raymont and Debbie Friedman at San Clemente Beach in 1978.

Understanding Chromium-6 in Our Water — and What We Are Doing About It

From the Soquel Creek Water District

If you’ve seen recent headlines about hexavalent chromium — often called chromium-6 or “chrome-6” — you might have some questions. That’s understandable. The topic has been in the public eye for decades, especially since the movie Erin Brockovich brought national attention to contamination in the Mojave Desert town of Hinkley, California. But it’s important to know that what’s happening here in Santa Cruz County is very different.

10 ppb. To put that into perspective, one part per billion is like a single drop of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

Chromium is a naturally occurring metal found in rocks, soil, and groundwater throughout the western United States. It exists mainly in two forms: chromium-3 and chromium-6. Chromium-3 is an essential nutrient that helps the body process sugars and fats, while chromium-6 is a form that, at high levels and with long-term exposure, can be harmful.

In our area, the source of chromium-6 is completely natural. Over time, certain types of rock — especially those found in the Aromas Red Sands aquifer — contain chromium-3 that can transform into chromium-6 through naturally occurring chemical reactions underground. This is very different from the situation that occurred in Hinkley, where industrial waste from a utility company was discharged into unlined ponds, allowing extremely high levels of chromium-6 to seep into their groundwater.

What’s Happening Locally

Routine water monitoring has shown that three of the District’s 18 groundwater wells — Bonita, San Andreas, and Seascape, all located in the Seascape area — contain chromium-6 above the State of California’s newly reestablished drinking water standard of 10 parts per billion (ppb). Average concentrations in these wells range from approximately 10.5 ppb to 12 ppb.

Importantly, this is not the result of any industrial spill or discharge. The chromium-6 found in these wells is naturally occurring. Scientists have estimated that up to 80% of drinking water sources in the United States may contain some detectable levels of chromium-6.

While recent water quality results show that levels in these three wells exceed the newly adopted State Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), this is not a public health emergency. There is no immediate risk, and customers do not need to boil water or avoid normal water use. The California regulatory threshold is based on long-term exposure over many years, not short-term health concerns.

Understanding the New State Standard

In October 2024, the State Water Resources Control Board adopted a new drinking water standard for chromium-6 of

The previous state limit, established in 1977, regulated total chromium — a combination of chromium-3 and chromium-6 — at 50 ppb. The new regulation specifically targets chromium-6 and is five times more stringent. California is currently the only place in the world with a drinking water standard specifically for chromium-6.

The State also recognizes that compliance requires time and major infrastructure improvements. Water systems the size of Soquel Creek Water District are not currently considered out of compliance with the chromium-6 regulation until after October 1, 2026, allowing time for agencies statewide to plan, fund, design, and construct treatment facilities.

What We’ve Done — and Continue to Do

The District has been proactively preparing for this regulatory deadline for more than a decade.

In 2013, the District conducted a successful pilot treatment project using strong-base anion exchange technology (a water treatment and purification process) through a grant funded by the Water Research Foundation. From 2014 through 2017, the District continued demonstration treatment testing using multiple technologies to determine the most effective and costefficient approach for removing chromium-6 while maintaining high water quality.

During this same period, the District completed environmental permitting for a permanent treatment facility and installed new water transmission mains to support these centralized treatment operations.

Later in 2017, the State rescinded the chromium-6 MCL, and the District paused design and construction activities while awaiting further direction from the State.

After the State reestablished the chromium-6 standard in October 2024, the District resumed work. Since then, the District has:

• Completed a new pilot study using lower-cost Reduction Coagulation Filtration technology,

• Completed environmental review for the treatment project,

• Completed the design-build procurement process,

• Finalized design of the treatment system, and

• Received State approval of the District’s compliance plan on October 3, 2025.

water wells required treatment to comply with the new chromium-6 standard: Bonita, San Andreas, and Seascape.

The District’s treatment solution will use a centralized approach, with a new treatment facility constructed at the San Andreas site to treat water from all three wells.

With the procurement process complete and the compliance plan approved by the State, construction of the new treatment facility is expected to begin shortly.

Looking Ahead

Soquel Creek Water District is not alone in facing this challenge. Many public water agencies across California — from Los Angeles to the Central Valley to the Sierra foothills- and even within our own Santa Cruz County — are addressing naturally occurring chromium-6 in groundwater. Because chromium-6 is naturally present in the rocks and sediments that make up much of California’s geology, this is a widespread issue, not one limited to a single community.

We also understand that our customers care deeply about both public health and fiscal responsibility. We are committed to transparent communication as we move forward. This includes required state notifications and regular updates about our progress toward meeting the new standard. We’ll continue to keep you informed and share new information through bill messages and our website.

While chromium-6 can sound concerning at first, it’s important to keep the facts in perspective:

• The levels here are much, much lower than what people remember about Hinkley, CA;

• The source is natural and not from a chemical spill, and

• Soquel Creek Water District has been proactive in protecting our community’s drinking water.

With our approved compliance plan and upcoming treatment improvements, we are continuing to invest in safe, clean, and sustainable water for generations to come. n

STS9 Amazes Crowd With Sound and Vision

Santa-Cruz Based Band Headlines Music Festival

By JON CHOWN

PLACERVILLE — Santa Cruz-based Sound Tribe Sector Nine helped sell a record number of tickets to the Golden Road Gathering musical festival May 15-17, thrilling the crowd of 3,000+ music fans.

Bob Hollis, one of four partners who put Golden Road Gathering together, said with STS9 headlining the event for the first time, sales were up more than 50% this year over last.

“They had the whole audience mesmerized. You could see, just looking at people’s faces that they were totally tuned into the music,” Hollis said. “People were definitely really into it and I think they contributed a lot to our record sales this year.”

STS9 played two sets, about 2 1/2 hours of music, to headline Saturday’s musical lineup at the event that included nine other bands. For most fans, Sound Tribe Sector was the highlight of the day.

“That was amazing!” said Timothee Smith, who drove from Southern California to see the show. It was the only appearance STS9 would make this summer that was west of Texas.

Weeks before the event, bass player Alana Rocklin said the band was planning

something for Placerville. “We’ve got some special things in the works for California,” Rocklin said. She was not kidding.

“I used to live in Santa Cruz and first heard them at the Quarry,” Smith said. “They’ve always been amazing, but tonight was just the best. It was more than just the music, the whole environment. Everything! The light show was off the charts!”

The laser light show that STS9 brought was impressive.

“They said they were gonna go all out for this and bring everything they had for the light show,” said Hollis. “It was fantastic. It added a lot to the whole venue. It was perfectly done to the music they were playing.”

Hollis noted that the Santa Cruz contingent of ticket buyers were stronger than ever this year.

“It’s been growing and growing. We get a lot of people from down in Santa Cruz and we’re talking about possibly doing some run-up shows in Santa Cruz in the future, possibly featuring some of the same artists that we booked for next year,” said Hollis.

Santa Cruz resident Steve Engel was at the festival with another one of his crazy hats he invented. He said he not only enjoyed the music, but spent a few days in Placerville shopping at antique stores and enjoying the town.

“I cruised through most or all of the antique and vintage stores and actually bought a pre-dial phone because it had a good magneto that I want to use for a project,” he said. n

Firecracker Run Returns for 41st Year as Santa Cruz Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday

SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary Club is gearing up for a milestone Fourth of July tradition, as the Firecracker Run returns for its 41st year in 2026, coinciding with the nation’s 250th birthday.

Organizers are aiming to make this year’s event the largest in its history, with a goal of more than 1,000 participants ranging from competitive runners to families, walkers and children. The race will once again be based at Harvey West

Park, a longtime hub for the community celebration.

“This is one you don’t want to miss,” organizers said in promoting the event. “Lace up your shoes, hit the pavement, and kick off Independence Day the way this community has for over four decades.”

The event features three courses designed for different abilities and ages.

continues onto Spring Trail through a University of California, Santa Cruz meadow, and returns through westside neighborhoods before finishing at Harvey West Park.

The 10K route takes runners through Pogonip Park and its “Thrill of the Hill,”

A 5K course stays within the Harvey West Business Park area and is described as flat, fast and fully accessible for strollers, wheelchairs and ADA participants. A 1K Kids’ Fun Run opens the morning for younger runners.

Start times begin at 8 a.m. with the Kids’

1K, followed by the 10K at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K at 8:40 a.m. After the races, participants gather back at the park for a community celebration featuring burritos, ice cream from Izzy’s and awards ceremony scheduled around 10 a.m.

Organizers are also encouraging participants to refer friends and family when registering. Those who successfully refer five additional runners can receive registration refunds, depending on race category.

“Firecracker Run” page 27

Photo Credit: Tony Dellacioppa

Santa Cruz resident

Steve Engel enjoys the music at Golden Road Gathering.

Photo Credit: Tony Dellacioppa Sound Tribe Sector Nine performs at the Golden Road Gathering in Placerville on May 16.

“Guarded” from page 22

But in general, Friedman said conditions on the beach in the late 1970s and 1980s were rougher and more dangerous than they are today.

“There were no jet skis, the paddle boards were heavy,” she said. “Alcohol was allowed on the beach. We dealt with drunks a lot and spent a lot of time dealing with chaos and violence on the beach.”

She also remembered the poor working conditions women faced.

“I talk about how horrible our swimsuits were … and the bathroom,” Friedman said. “There was just great concern over where everyone was going to the bathroom.”

She said many beaches did not provide women with equal access to restrooms or changing facilities.

“The bathroom thing was really about otherizing women,” she said. “Women didn’t have access to the same facilities.”

Friedman said sexism also came from the public, especially while working at San Clemente’s military beach.

“A lot of Marines didn’t know how to swim and didn’t want to be rescued by a woman,” she said. “These big guys did not want to be rescued by a woman.”

Still, she said emergencies usually erased those attitudes, but at times she had to shout at them like drill sergeant.

“When a person is in real trouble, they are not going to care who you are,” she said.

Friedman said the job is centered on prevention more than dramatic rescues.

“The idea is always stressed upon to be as preventative as possible,” she said. “You get people out of the water before they even know they are in trouble.”

Over her career, she estimated she saves at least a couple hundred lives while making hundreds of rescues.

“The scariest ones are the ones that have already escalated,” she said.

She also recalled responding to serious

traffic crashes along Pacific Coast Highway before paramedics arrived, discovering grisly scenes that she still can’t erase from memory.

“That was a big part of it, unfortunately,” Friedman said.

The book project began about three years ago after Friedman realized there were few written accounts from the first generation of women lifeguards.

“At first I thought I was writing a history,” she said. “Then I started writing about myself.”

She said looking through old photographs and interviewing former lifeguards brought back memories she thought were gone.

“I thought my memory was poor,” Friedman said. “But things came back the longer I worked on it.”

The book also explores the impact of Title IX, the federal law that expanded opportunities for women in sports and education.

“Fewer women remember what it was like not having sports programs,” Friedman said. “It was a time when women were being introduced into a lot of new professions.”

She said writing the memoir helped her reflect on those years with more perspective.

“You are able to see things with more humor and perspective, and look back without anger and malice,” Friedman said. “It was not all obstacles. It was just a time of great unknowns and fears.”

Friedman recently held a book event at the La Selva Community Center that drew about 100 people, including old friends and former coworkers.

“Santa Cruz County loves its lifeguards,” she said. “It’s been an incredible experience to feel that.” n

The book is also available locally through Two Birds Books and Bookshop Santa Cruz, and online at www.towerpress.com. Friedman is scheduled to speak about the book July 12 at the Live Oak Library Annex in Santa Cruz County. Register at: santacruzpl.libnet.info/event/16247280

“Election Changes” from page 20

The debate does not involve creation of a “strong mayor” system, city officials emphasized. Capitola would remain a council-manager form of government regardless of how the mayor is selected.

The city is encouraging public participation during the districting process. Officials launched an online mapping tool that allows residents to draw and submit proposed district boundaries, either digitally or on paper maps available at City Hall. Residents may submit complete maps or simply identify neighborhoods and “communities of interest” they believe should remain together in the same district.

Consultants presented demographic data showing Capitola’s population is 22% Hispanic or Latino and 65% non-Hispanic white. The city’s Latino population is concentrated most heavily near the 41st Avenue corridor, according to census block analysis. Officials stressed that district lines cannot legally be drawn to favor incumbents, political parties or candidates.

The city has also expanded multilingual outreach efforts as part of the process. Officials said the districting website can be translated into multiple languages, and FAQ materials are being distributed in English and Spanish. The city plans to mail informational notices to all Capitola households ahead of upcoming hearings.

City officials allocated $45,000 for the districting transition, including consultant fees and public outreach costs. Staff said expenses so far remain within budget. n

Under California’s FAIR MAPS Act, districts must be geographically contiguous, relatively compact and designed to preserve neighborhoods and communities with shared social or economic interests. Districts also must contain roughly equal populations based on the 2020 Census.

*Former students

Part of eyeglasses, pl.

Door holder

Barely got by

Foolhardy challenge

The Light of Gemini (the Two Brothers) & Mercury with Wings on His Feet

Esoteric Astrology

The Sun is distributing to Earth the light of Gemini — the twins, the two brothers, sign of duality and interplay. “Let instability do its work,” is the keynote on the personality building level of Gemini. These words refer to daily life on earth with its constant vicissitudes, confusions, disharmonies and instabilities. Gemini tells us they have purpose — they spur us to seek comfort, ease, balance and harmony. Gemini (sign, person, month), is playful, curious, humorous and fun, the “tricksters” of the zodiac. Moving one way, then another, then disappearing without notice, Gemini signifies duality. Gemini always appears as “two” — two ways, two paths, two lights, two directions, etc. When we have two of something we then have choice. Humanity was created with the free will to choose.

Gemini is the butterfly, “the light of interplay, a line of light beams,” revealing all that opposes in our world — basic duality in form and matter. Duality is a relationship of two things seemingly opposed to each other, like Spirit and matter, the original duality. However, the two are one and that is the mystery of Gemini.

Gemini people. We see them accomplishing their spiritual task (job). Notice we especially experience duality during the month of Gemini. Mercury just entered Gemini this past week. Notice everyone begins to talk more, to chatter and to gossip. Disciples never gossip.

Two minds, two columns (Masonic columns), two hands, two brothers/sisters, etc., each offering two realities. Gemini points out the relationship between them. Pondering these words, we begin to understand

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 9)

As you acquire multiple new abilities, it’s important to learn to share a few. Sharing is new to you. You research the causes of things. Some call this studying conspiracy theories. But actually, those theories often end up to be true. You’re more energetic, active, forceful and even, at times, overly assertive (shocking!). Rarely are you this way. It’s six planets, including Mars (the 9 tests) in Aries playing havoc in your life. Forge forward, Aries. You initiate and thus create new fields of endeavor. Then Taurus steps in and anchors them.

TAURUS (Apr 10 – May 20)

You are becoming more like a Pisces these days. Meaning? More sensitive, more in tune, reluctant to push the river, a sense of other worldliness, a bit forgetfulness, a bit of disorder, seeing other worlds and walking a different path. You’re working more in secret and can be blamed for things you didn’t do. You sense and intuit the past is merging with the present. For a while everything becomes more private. Dreams (day and night) appear, imagination is sparked, creativity comes alive. Music (more of it) is needed.

GEMINI (May 21 – Jun 20)

It’s most important to ponder upon the word “cooperation” and consider how you interact with, work with and impact those around you. Are you able to cooperate with others? With new and emerging thoughts and ideas, you may be inclined to seek others to work with and co-create with them the new culture and civilization. In the new times to come cooperation is needed, working in teams towards a group goal. On a personal level, create daily agendas, schedules and plans. They become your future’s purpose, context and protection.

CANCER (Jun 21 – Jul 22)

You’re the leader, the voice everyone hears, the one everyone looks to, hopes to become, learns from, seeks, dreams of, is nourished by and emulates. Your accomplishments are recognized. This pleases you. I have written before that for each sign to evolve adequately, others must see, recognize and praise their efforts, gifts and abilities. Praise is how we more fully identify ourselves as valuable and creative. Say, “I am creative and I recognize this in my life.” A sense of new awareness and gratitude follow.

The major sign of relatedness, Gemini must connect two seemingly unrelated ideas, realities, people, events. Often Gemini will introduce two people and disappear, their work of relating things complete. Geminis step out of the picture and into their next task of relating things.

Gemini flows through and works with Mercury, gathering information to distribute, share and create new awareness in humanity. Gemini and Mercury build the Rainbow Bridge. Sometimes Mercury offers too much information. Then Venus (Gemini Soul ruler) steps in. Venus balances, synthesizes, unifies and eases us into new realities with grace and beauty. Our God is from Venus. Bees, wheat, corn and ants (communities) are also from Venus. Venus is Earth’s elder sister.

Look for feathers in the wild, from the wings of Mercury. Mercury, working tirelessly with Gemini, has wings on his feet. n Read Risa’s Daily writings on FB & at https://nightlightnews.org/ daily-postings/

LEO (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

A hunger for expansion, for newness, adventure, a restlessness that won’t accept no for an answer, all these engulf your mind and present you with new ideas and a level of impatience Your life actually does need expansion, new studies, new people, new experiences. All this energy propels you into travel, new interests, new books, opinions leading to disagreements, arguments and discourses. Stay away from gambling, speculation and things illegal. Read the magazine Travel and Leisure. It is a most interesting study.

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Careful with projecting anger and/or suppressed passion (from long ago to present) toward others, especially ones close to you. You may be unaware of this. Be aware of issues concerning joint money and resources, conflicts and crises concerning differently learned values. Careful with communication. You may suffer from others’ misunderstandings and/or harshness. Or your own. Home is where all transformations take place. Guard yourself and loved ones, carefully. Attend church or temple. Pray.

LIBRA (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Everything may feel personally challenging. A great wave of change is washing over you. Let’s understand about conflict. Any conflict experienced means harmony, in shadow form, is hidden within the conflict, harmony, a seed of light, seeking to emerge. Libras are ruled by a star in the Big Dipper called Ray 3 which gives them great intelligence and balance, beauty and harmony. Know these things about yourself. Seeking harmony is Libra’s divine task. Relationships are the training grounds for that harmony to come forth.

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

It’s possible you feel restricted with Saturn in Aries. At first it can feel like obstacles are a way of life. Saturn, however, is the new Teacher. He informs us of disciplines, new rituals and rhythms. He teaches us restraint, right timing, right direction and right thinking. Saturn teaches us to take care of ourselves with right priorities. Don’t dispute anything (mostly yourself). Recite silent Ohms and laugh more. “Laughter is a meditation,” says Alan Watts. Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=xZ3wWisRtTA

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You also would appreciate the Alan Watts laughter video I posted above for Scorpio. Sag’s love to laugh. Laughing dispels any sense of doom or overwhelm we may be feeling. With Pluto in Aquarius, the depth of responsibility for creating the new culture can overwhelm. Laughter helps. Tend to loved ones, especially your partner (first). The result will be more play, pleasure and sleep. Do you need new items in your home? New pathways, a gate or bridge over water? Gaze at Monet’s Water Lilies painting.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Are you feeling the need for protection and for security? Be clear, ordered and organized and shield your finances and resources. Keep track of monies coming in and going out. It’s possible you could feel lost or confused around money. Unexpected events and outlays of money continue to occur. Remain hopeful, aware and alert. Continue to tell friends and family of your needs. If issues from the past emerge, talk with someone about them. The past appears in order to understand it more deeply.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Work slowly each day on physical tasks. Order and organize all environments. Create greater efficiency. Ponder upon real wants and needs. Soon ideas from the Mind of God come forth. Communicate with more compassion and loving kindness. This is Mercury in Gemini. Mars on the other hand provides new selfawareness and values. You will want to create a foundation. Tend to hands and feet. Sew, draw and paint. Use your heart to make order. A new path appears.

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

The month ahead sees you working towards and within your sense of values. If you don’t actually know your values, then observe yourself – thoughts, ideas, actions, communications. Note you’re slower than usual, focusing and caring for what you love (and value) with extra care. You see your ambition, the acquiring of possessions, your impatience and impulsiveness. Your senses are more alive. You’re taking on the sturdy and consistent virtues, values and needs of Taurus. Comforting for Pisces.

‘Sip for Second Harvest’ Returns to Seascape Beach Resort

Local Craft Beers Added to Wine Tasting Event

Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County will host the ‘Sip for Second Harvest’ on Sunday, June 28 at the beautiful Seascape Beach Resort in Aptos. This fundraising event directly benefits the Food Bank’s efforts to provide healthy food and nutrition education to its neighbors across Santa Cruz County.

It is the second year for the event has been held at the Seascape Beach Resort, and ‘Sip for Second Harvest’ continues a nine-year tradition of community support and fundraising. After a successful turnout in 2025, the Food Bank is excited to continue building on that momentum in 2026.

Recently recognized as the Good Times 2025 Best Charity Event (Silver), ‘Sip for Second Harvest’ brings together local wineries and, for the first time, introduces local breweries to its tasting menu. All attendees will get to enjoy a day of pourings from local partners, light bites, a silent auction, scenic coastal views, and live music from Ripatti Rose Band.

“Every dollar raised through Sip for Second Harvest stays right here in Santa Cruz County,” said Erica Padilla Chavez, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County. “At a time when food insecurity continues to impact so many families, and federal programs that support hunger relief face growing cuts, community support is more important than ever. This event is a meaningful and joyful way for people to come together, to nourish our neighbors today while helping build a stronger, more connected community for tomorrow.” n •••

Early Bird General Admission: $75 through May 31; ticket prices increase to $100 beginning June 1 and will also be $100 at the door on June 28.

VIP Admission: Limited VIP tickets are available for $125 and include unlimited tastings and access to a private VIP experience. Only 100 VIP tickets will be sold.

POURING PARTNERS

Aptos Vineyards • Alfaro Family Vineyards

Big Basin Vineyard • Birichino Winery

Burrell School Vineyards • Compache Cellars

Kathryn Kennedy Winery • Lester Estate Wines

Pelican Ranch Winery

Testarossa Winery

Van Gogh and the Yarn

While giving a lecture to an audience of followers, Zen teacher Baba Ram Das noticed an elderly woman in the crowd nodding her head in agreement to each of his points about meditation and mystical experiences. Later, he went up to the woman and asked her why she was so enthusiastic about his talk. And she said, “I knit.”

Insights sparked from intense concentration on a task or craft can come from anywhere. Even from a craft like knitting.

Knitters have learned from experience to make a “swatch” before they knit a sweater. This miniature sample of the finished garment helps knitters see in advance how the interplay of pattern and color will influence a finished work. What better way for an artist to gain confidence, and inspire numerous adjustments along the way to enhance the final plan?

Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh gave this technique a new twist. At the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, one can view a box of colored yarn that Van Gogh used to weave colors together as a study for a future painting. While most artistic “studies” we see in museums by Old Masters are made in graphite or charcoal, Van Gogh created his version in yarn. Why?

By JOE ORTIZ

creative tumblers to the lock on his artistic zone clicking in- and out-of-place.

What Does it Teach Us?

Any preparatory craft device we use to kick start a project can help boost our imagination in ways we might never have envisioned before we began.

Such devices can act as triggers to help us jump into a highly productive creative zone.

Think back on a time you drew a sketch before laying out your kitchen, for example, and you’ll be reminded of a moment when some — perhaps unrelated detail — flashed into your mind.

This is how creativity works. Some structure or limitation coupled with our need to follow its requirements, can cause mental correlations, which lead us to some new flash of insight.

Furthermore — as we might imagine occurred to the woman who surprised Ram Das with her metaphysical revelation — any physical manipulation we make with our hands to distract ourselves from excessive thinking, can also put the mind just off kilter enough to incite a new breakthrough. n

This technique may not be as

One can imagine that the process allowed him to experiment with the colors he envisioned for the finished painting, which benefited Van Gogh with the ease of reworking various shades of color into different combinations.

demanding a tool as, say, the rigid form of a sonnet or a haiku to stimulate right-brain activity for poets. But as dedicated knitters will tell you — at least a few times during the process — Van Gogh must have felt the

Let me know your thoughts via email: joe@ gocapitola.com. Also, check out my musical memoir, Escaping Queens, which will be staged at Santa Cruz Actors’ Theater this July. For Tickets: www.santacruzactorstheater.org/tickets.

City Pens Letter Opposing Expansion of Marine Protected Area

The Capitola City Council approved a letter opposing a proposed expansion of protected marine areas near Natural Bridges and Pleasure Point as part of its consent agenda on May 14.

The council authorized the mayor to sign a letter opposing Marine Protected Area Petition 2023-33MPA, which is being considered by the California Fish and Game Commission.

The petition was submitted by Environment California and Azul. It originally called for expanding the Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve and creating a new State Marine Reserve near Pleasure Point.

In March 2024, the council previously

“Firecracker Run” from page 24

opposed the petition unless it was changed to allow some recreational fishing near Pleasure Point. City officials said they wanted to balance kelp forest protection with lowimpact subsistence fishing.

In April, the groups behind the petition amended the proposal. Instead of creating a “no-take” State Marine Reserve near Pleasure Point, the revised petition would establish a State Marine Conservation Area. The change would allow recreational hook-and-line fishing and spearfishing from shore.

during an April 21 hearing before the California Fish and Game Commission.

According to city staff, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has recommended denying the petition.

The amended proposal was presented

Bib pickup will take place Friday, July 3, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Woodhouse Blending & Brewing on Madrone Street, where the first 200 participants will receive a free beer. Race-day pickup will also be available at the Harvey West Park clubhouse from 7 to 8:30 a.m.

Participants are encouraged to arrive early on race day, with parking recommended at the nearby Costco lot before 7:15 a.m. to avoid road closures. n

The department said the proposed Pleasure Point conservation area would likely not meet ecological goals because of its small size and the fishing activity that would still be allowed. The department also said the proposal would likely not support kelp forest resilience as outlined in the petition.

The department further stated that the proposed conservation area’s location near

Santa Cruz Harbor could create significant socioeconomic impacts. It also said the proposed boundaries do not follow feasibility guidelines and could make enforcement more difficult.

City staff said that although the petition was revised from a State Marine Reserve to a State Marine Conservation Area, it still does not address concerns about scientific support, stakeholder involvement and possible impacts.

Regional agencies, including the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, have also opposed the proposal.

The report states there would be no fiscal impact to the city. n

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

ONGOING EVENTS

Mondays

BRIDGE CLUB

10:30 a.m.-Noon, 7695 Soquel Dr, Aptos, CA 95003

The Aptos Branch Library hosts Bridge Club sessions on Mondays (except holidays).

Bridge Club is a partnership between Santa Cruz County Parks and Santa Cruz Public Libraries.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS

7 p.m., Congregational Church Preschool Meeting Room, 4951 Soquel Ave., Soquel

Overeaters Anonymous welcomes any type of eating disorder or problems with food.

No dues, fees or weigh-ins.

Meetings take place at Congregational Church in the preschool meeting room.

All are welcome.

Overeaters Anonymous (OA) has meetings daily both inperson and on-line in Santa Cruz County at santacruzoa.org

Fourth Mondays (Third Monday in May due to Memorial Day)

THE SPOKEN EXPERIENCE

Noon – 1 p.m., Capitola Branch Library, 2005 Wharf Rd

Each month a community of readers gather to share selections from a featured poet.

Join local poets Paola Bruni, Elaine Fletcher Chapman and Jessica Cohn as they lead the discussion.

Upcoming poet focus:

June 22: Gary Snyder

July 27: Dean Young

August 24: Lucile Clifton

September 28: Sharon Olds

October 26: Juan Felipe Herrera

November 23: Ada Limon

December 28: Jericho Brown

Tuesdays

TUESDAY NIGHT SALSA SOCIAL

7 – 10 p.m., Abbott Square Market, 725 Front St., Santa Cruz

Join a midweek salsa social at Abbott Square Market with salsa, cumbia, merengue, and bachata.

Free and open to all skill levels—just bring energy and dancing shoes.

More information: www.abbottsquaremarket.com

BINGO AT MCSC

1-3 p.m., Mid County Senior Center, 829 Bay Avenue, Capitola (behind the Party Store)

Hot Dogs, Chili and snacks available for purchase courtesy of our Snack Shack. A lot of fun for all and a possible big win!

Door opens at 12:15 p.m.

Thursdays

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING

7:15-9:15 p.m., Peace United Church 900 High St, Santa Cruz. Beginners welcome, partners not required. $10 each. Come dance!

HAPPY HOUR

5-7 p.m., California Coffee, 9105 Soquel Drive, Aptos California Coffee in Redwood Village hosts an open mic happy hour every week.

Third Thursdays

SIP AND STROLL

6-9 p.m. (check-in 5 p.m.), Seacliff Inn, 7500 Old Dominion Court, Aptos

Come to the Seacliff Inn: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, for a Sip & Stroll event where local artists to show and sell their works.

Wines are 30% off, and the featured winery will offer tastings of three varietals for $10 per person. Details of this and more Sevy’s events at www.sevysbarand kitchen.com/events

Fridays (except First Friday of the Month)

LA SELVA BEACH LIBRARY BRIDGE GROUP

10:30-Noon, La Selva Beach Public Library, 316 Estrella Ave. Come for bridge from 10:30 to noon at the La Selva Beach library.

Call La Selva Beach Library to reserve your seat: 831-427-7710.

First and Third Fridays

JIM GREINER’S HANDS-ON! DRUMMING

7-8:30 p.m., Congregational Church of Soquel, 4951 Soquel Dr. Percussionist/educator Jim Greiner continues his Community Rhythms Class on the first and third Fridays of every month at the Congregational Church of Soquel. All levels of experience are very welcome to this familyfriendly community gathering. Jim provides percussion instruments and you are welcome to bring your own.

Come play, socialize and reinforce Jim’s fundamental themes of communicating, collaborating and celebrating through rhythm!

$10 donation is requested. Doors open at 6:30.

Last Friday of the Month thru October FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY AT SKYPARK

5–8 p.m., Skypark, 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley Food Trucks A Go Go presents an evening of local eats, live music and activities for all ages.

The monthly event supports Scotts Valley schools through beverage sales and offers a welcoming community gathering. Admission is free.

For details, visit foodtrucksagogo.com.

First Saturdays

CAPITOLA BEACH CLEANUP

9-10 a.m., Esplanade Park

Help preserve and maintain the coastal beauty of Capitola. Join a beach cleanup every month at Esplanade Park.

Keep Capitola Salty is a grassroots movement dedicated to responsible efforts helping to maintain and preserve the environment, scenic beauty and coastal recreational activities of Capitola.

This movement is always looking for volunteers. Email KeepCapitolaSalty@gmail.com.

Second Saturdays

HISTORICAL AIRCRAFT DISPLAY

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Watsonville Municipal Airport, 100 Aviation Way Watsonville Municipal Airport hosts a Historical Aircraft Display every second Saturday. Admission is free.

Saturdays and Sundays

ELKHORN SLOUGH: FREE TOUR OF THE PRESERVE

10 a.m. | 11 a.m., Elkhorn Slough Reserve, 1700 Elkhorn Road, Watsonville

Docent-led tours offer visitors a guided introduction to Elkhorn Slough’s remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and tidal wetlands.

Each walk is tailored to participants’ interests and abilities, creating an engaging, educational experience. Space is limited, and tours are first-come, first-served. Guests can sign up at the Visitor Center front desk or call ahead the same morning at (831) 728-2822 for availability.

First Sundays

SANTA CRUZ DINNER CLUB

5 p.m. at various member homes throughout county Love to cook, entertain and socialize? Our monthly dinner club events will be held in several homes throughout Santa Cruz County where members enjoy delicious meals, fine wine and conversation.

Joining the club provides a great opportunity to cook, to entertain, and to meet locals that share your interests. Want to join us? Learn more about the SC Dinner Club and the fun we have by contacting Rhonda Mills at rhondaloves2paint@gmail.com.

DATED EVENTS

Wednesday June 3

CAPITOLA SUMMER TWILIGHT CONCERTS: THE DELTA WIRES

6–9 p.m., Esplanade Bandstand, Esplanade Park, Capitola The Capitola Summer Twilight Concert series opens with Rockin’ Big Band Blues by The Delta Wires. Guests are encouraged to bring low-back chairs, blankets and picnic dinners while enjoying free live music and sunset views along the beach.

The family-friendly event does not allow dogs or alcohol. For more information, go online at https://www.santacruz.org/ upcoming-events/

Thursday June 4

PICTURE THIS: BELONGING BUILDS COMMUNITY

6–8 p.m., 705 Front St., Santa Cruz Housing Matters will launch its quarterly “Picture This: Belonging Builds Community” storytelling series focused on connection, inclusion and community care in Santa Cruz County.

The evening includes a featured storyteller, facilitated discussion with a local community partner and smallgroup reflection activities.

For more information or to register, visit https://housingmatterssc.org.

Friday June 5

THE PHENOMENON OF HEALING

10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Community Foundation Santa Cruz County (in the Solari room), 7807 Soquel Drive, Aptos “The Phenomenon of Healing” is a documentary about

CAPITOLA ROD & CUSTOM CLASSIC CAR SHOW

Saturday

events that happened after the death of Bruno Groening in 1959.

Viewers learn how his work developed after his passing and the great extent of help and healing on the spiritual path that is still happening today — irrespective of religious affiliation, skin color and culture.

Fascinating interviews, professional comments by doctors and personal reports from Bruno Groening friends from many countries, give a broad overview of this big Circle of Friends.

Organized by Bruno Groening Circle of Friends: https://www. bruno-groening.org/en.

Friday June 5

Saturday June 6

52ND ANNUAL UCSC PRINT SALE

10 a.m.–6 p.m., UC Santa Cruz Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center & Printmaking Studio Room G-101, 1156 High St. The 52nd Annual UCSC Print Sale will feature hundreds of original prints created in a variety of media, including woodcuts, lithographs, etchings, screen prints and photobased works.

The two-day event is presented in conjunction with the Art Department’s Spring Open Studios and admission is free.

For more information, visit https://arts.ucsc.edu/news-events/.

Saturday June 6

SANTA CRUZ VEGFEST

11 a.m.–5 p.m., Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville Santa Cruz VegFest brings together thousands of attendees to celebrate plant-based, cruelty-free and environmentally sustainable living.

The event features food vendors, educational booths, speakers and community resources focused on animal welfare and climate-friendly lifestyles at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. For more information, visit https://vegfestsantacruz.org.

Saturday June 6

Sunday June 7

POSTCARDS FROM PARADISE

2 p.m., Market Street Theater and Senior Center, 222 Market St, Santa Cruz Feel the rhythm. Taste the tropics. Escape to paradise.

Come to the Market Street Theater and Senior Center for two unforgettable performances of “Postcards From Paradise”— where the spirit of aloha comes alive!

From the moment the show starts, you’ll be swept away by the vibrant sounds of live ukulele and island drums, breathtaking hula performances, and captivating songs of Aloha.

Talented performers bring the traditions of Hawaii and the Tropics to the stage with grace, power, and heart. Don your favorite floral shirt, grab a lei, and be transported to the islands — no passport required. Tickets and information at https://www.marketstreettheater.org.

Sunday June 7

UNITING WITH PRIDE

11 a.m., Downtown Santa Cruz along Pacific Ave., starting at Cathcart St. and Pacific Ave.

Santa Cruz Pride returns with its annual parade and festival celebrating inclusivity, community and equality.

The event features colorful floats, live entertainment, local organizations and activities for all ages in downtown Santa Cruz.

The parade begins at Cathcart Street and Pacific Avenue before continuing along the Pride Parade Route. For more information, visit https://santacruzpride.org.

Monday June 8

BOOKSHOP SANTA CRUZ: DUSTY BAKER BOOK LAUNCH

7–8 p.m., Bookshop Santa Cruz, 1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz

Legendary baseball player and manager Dusty Baker visits Bookshop Santa Cruz to discuss his memoir, “Crossroads: A Memoir in Baseball and Life,” with co-author Steve Kettmann.

The free event includes a talk and conversation, followed by a ticketed photo opportunity with Baker.

For more information and tickets, visit Bookshop Santa Cruz.

Tuesday June 9

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF CAPITOLA-BY-THE-SEA CLUB MEETING

4 p.m., United Way of Santa Cruz County, 4450 Capitola Road, Suite 106, Capitola

Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea will hold a free public meeting to discuss officer installations for FY 2026–27, conference updates, and budget issues.

The organization supports women’s education and economic empowerment.

For more information, visit Soroptimist International of Capitolaby-the-Sea or email sicapitola.by.the.sea@gmail.com. The meeting is open to the public.

Wednesday June 10

CAPITOLA SUMMER TWILIGHT CONCERTS: THE TRESTLES

6–9 p.m., Esplanade Bandstand, Esplanade Park, Capitola

The Trestles bring Surf and Garage Rock to Capitola’s free Summer Twilight Concert series.

Community members can enjoy live music at the beach while relaxing with picnic dinners, blankets and low-back chairs.

The concerts are family friendly and take place beside the sunset on the Capitola Esplanade.

For more information, go online at https://www.santacruz.org/ upcoming-events/

PORTER MEMORIAL LIBRARY ICE CREAM SOCIAL AND STORY TIME

1–2 p.m., Porter Memorial Library, 3050 Porter St., Soquel Porter Memorial Library hosts its annual Ice Cream Social and Story Time for preschool and primary-aged children. Ice cream will be served on the library’s back deck beginning at 1 p.m., followed by stories, songs and a craft with storyteller Jeanne Jorgensen at 1:30 inside the library.

For more information, call 831-475-3326.

Saturday June 13

DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ JUNETEENTH PARADE

12–5 p.m., Pacific Ave. between Water and Locust St., Santa Cruz

The Downtown Santa Cruz Juneteenth Parade celebrates freedom and equality with a community event featuring music, poetry, dance, soul food, arts and crafts, basketball skills contests and a sack race.

Festive dress is encouraged, and the event is free and open to all ages.

SANTA CRUZ JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

Noon–6 p.m., Laurel Park behind the London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Juneteenth Celebration returns for its 35th year with the theme “Resilience,” featuring live music, dance, poetry, soul food, craft booths and family activities.

The free event also includes a second-line sidewalk parade, children’s games and a basketball clinic.

For more information, visit https://www.santacruzjuneteenth.com.

FELT STREET FLEA MARKET

9 a.m.–2 p.m., CSL Santa Cruz, 1818 Felt St., Santa Cruz

The Felt St. Flea Market features 18 vendors offering antiques, collectibles, clothing, crafts, books, electronics, toys and tools all in one location.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

THE HEALTHY WAY 40TH ANNIVERSARY HEALTH FAIR EXTRAVAGANZA

Saturday June 27

12 p.m. – 3 p.m., The Healthy Way, 3251 Mission Dr., Santa Cruz (Near Dominican Hospital)

The Healthy Way wants to thank its many clients and the community for 40 wonderful years in Santa Cruz County! Come and enjoy lots of free, great-tasting food, cooking demonstrations, giveaways, health consults, specials on services, and much much more!

Music will be provided by KPIG radio’s live broadcast from our parking lot and meet the famous morning DJ, Ralph Anybody!

Internationally known, Santa Cruz local Dr. Christopher Hobbs will be the keynote speaker discussing The Science of Weight Loss. Health related vendors will be on hand to offer giveaways, ongoing raffle prizes and educate the public on their services. Free admission. www.thehealthyway.us • (831) 462-5900.

Visitors can shop a wide variety of unique items and find special gifts in a community market setting. Admission is free and open to the public.

SANTA CRUZ SYMPHONY MOVIE NIGHT

5 p.m. Street Party | 7:30 p.m. Concert, Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Symphony presents Movie Night, featuring music from blockbuster films including Titanic, The Lord of the Rings, Interstellar, Avengers, Star Trek, and Howl’s Moving Castle.

The evening begins with a free street party featuring live music, dancing, food trucks, and face painting, followed by the concert.

Movie costumes are encouraged.

For tickets or information, call 831-420-5260 or visit www. santacruztickets.com/Online/default.asp.

Sunday June 14

HONOR SCOTT ROSEMAN

4 p.m., Temple Beth El Jewish Community Center, Aptos Temple Beth El will host an evening honoring Scott Roseman with stories, music, group singing, appetizers and drinks.

Organizers say the gathering will celebrate Roseman through community, laughter and connection with friends and family.

For more information or to RSVP, visit https://www.tbeaptos.org/ event/fundraiser1.html.

Monday June 15

FIFA WORLD CUP SCREENING: SPAIN V CABO VERDE

9–11 a.m., Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History will host a free public screening of the FIFA World Cup match between Spain and Cabo Verde.

The event also includes a silent auction benefiting upcoming festival programs.

For more information, visit https://cabrillomusic.org.

Sunday June 21

SOLSTICE VIEWING: JOSHUA MORENO

12–3 p.m., Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz

This final viewing presents the culmination of artist-inresidence Joshua Moreno’s year-long project tracing light and reflection at the decommissioned Davenport Jail. The installation features graphite wall tracings capturing shifting light patterns from the surrounding environment, highlighting Moreno’s experimental, site-specific artistic process developed over time.

Wednesday June 24

CAPITOLA SUMMER TWILIGHT CONCERTS: COFFEE ZOMBIE COLLECTIVE

6–9 p.m., Esplanade Bandstand, Esplanade Park, Capitola Coffee Zombie Collective performs originals and quirky covers during Capitola’s Summer Twilight Concert series. The free beachside event invites residents and visitors to enjoy music, picnic dinners and sunset views from the Esplanade.

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or low-back chairs for seating. Dogs and alcohol are prohibited. For more information, go online at https://www.santacruz.org/ upcoming-events/

Thursday June 25

Saturday June 27

FREE HYPNOTHERAPY WORKSHOP

Thurs: 4:45 p.m., Aptos Public Library conference room, 1111 Soquel Dr. Sat: 3:15 p.m., London Nelson Community Center, 301 Center St, Santa Cruz

The family-friendly event includes complimentary popcorn and an all-ages art activity as fans gather to cheer on their favorite teams.

For more information, visit https://www.santacruzmah.org.

Wednesday June 17

TREASURE COVE AT JADE STREET PARK GRAND OPENING

1 p.m., Jade Street Park, 4400 Jade Street, Capitola Celebrate the grand opening of Treasure Cove, a new inclusive playground at Jade Street Park designed for children and families of all abilities.

Community members are invited to attend the opening ceremony and explore the park’s accessible play features and gathering spaces.

For more information, visit County Park Friends at https://www. countyparkfriends.org.

Saturday June 20

COMMUNITY WRITERS OF SANTA CRUZ OPEN MIC

2:30 p.m., Porter Memorial Library, 3050 Porter St, Soquel

Community Writers of Santa Cruz will host an open mic for prose writers and poets, along with a featured reader, at the historic Porter Memorial Library. Sign-ups begin at 2:15 p.m.

The group has been meeting quarterly for 15 years and welcomes both new and established writers to participate in this free community event.

Saturday June 20

A TASTE OF THE FESTIVAL –

CABRILLO FESTIVAL 2026 PREVIEW AND BENEFIT

3–5 p.m., Bargetto Winery, 3535 N. Main St., Soquel

The Cabrillo Festival preview and benefit offers an afternoon of chamber music, wine and hors d’oeuvres in support of the 2026 festival season. Friction Quartet will perform works by Vivian Fung,

Change your mind—Change your life by learning self & auto hypnosis to solve bad habits, attitudes, anx/dep and much more.

With clinically certified behavioral specialist, Scott Spackey, CATC, RAS, CCHt, CLC Details & RSVP: Life-Mind.com • 408-430-3693

Saturday June 27

WOODIES ON THE WHARF CAR SHOW 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m., Santa Cruz Wharf, Santa Cruz Woodies On The Wharf Car Show is the annual gathering of classic woodie vehicles on the Santa Cruz Wharf.

Although the show runs 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., cars begin arriving as early as 6 a.m. to secure parking.

Free event requires no registration or entry fee. More info available at https://www.santacruzwoodies.com.

Wednesday July 1

CAPITOLA SUMMER TWILIGHT CONCERTS: SPUN

6–9 p.m., Esplanade Bandstand, Esplanade Park, Capitola Spun brings fun rock and party music to Capitola’s waterfront during the Summer Twilight Concert series. The free weekly concerts offer a casual evening of live entertainment, beach sunsets and picnics for families and friends.

Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets or low-back chairs for seating.

For more information, go online at https://www.santacruz.org/ upcoming-events/ n

Clarice Assad and Philip Glass, with composer Vivian Fung joining for a Q&A.

FEATURED COLUMNIST

What Socrates Can Teach Us About the Dangers of Groupthink

By DR. LORI BUTTERWORTH, Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist

Astory starts circulating online. At first, it’s just a few posts. Then more people share it. It spreads through group texts, social media, and conversations at work. The message is clear, confident, and repeated often enough that it begins to feel true.

People react quickly. Opinions form. Sides are taken.

Then more information comes out. Details were missing. Some parts were inaccurate. The situation was more complex than it first appeared.

But by then, the reaction had already spread.

No one set out to get it wrong. They were doing something very human. They were aligning.

The Dangers of Groupthink Groupthink doesn’t usually look dangerous. It doesn’t announce itself. It looks like agreement. It feels like clarity. It sounds like, “Everyone knows this.”

We like to believe we think independently. But often, we rely on social influence more than we realize. We read the room. We notice what’s accepted. We adjust. Not because we lack ability, but because we’re wired to belong.

And that’s where groupthink becomes risky.

Because while it offers short-term benefits: connection, certainty, and a sense of safety, the long-term costs are far greater. It replaces critical thinking with automatic alignment. It narrows perspective. It reduces curiosity. And over time, it increases the likelihood that we will be wrong together.

More importantly, it erodes something essential to mental well-being: individuality, independence, and autonomy.

This is something I care deeply about. In my work with teens and young adults, I often see how easily this shift happens. They come in unsure of their own opinions, looking outward for answers, trying to read what others think before deciding what they believe. A big part of my work is helping them reconnect with their own judgment, learning

to pause, reflect, and think for themselves, even when it feels uncomfortable When we consistently defer to the group, we begin to lose trust in our own thinking. We outsource our judgment. We rely on consensus instead of reflection. What starts as small moments of going along can gradually shape how we think altogether.

Groupthink is an Ancient Problem

Thisisn’t a new problem. Over 2,000 years ago, the Sophists taught people how to persuade, win arguments, and sound convincing. Success was about influence, not truth.

In contrast, Socrates focused on understanding. Instead of trying to sound right, he asked a different question: What if we’re wrong?

That question is at the heart of critical thinking.

We see the impact of groupthink clearly in political echo chambers. People seek out information that confirms what they already believe and filter out opposing views. Perspectives narrow. Certainty increases. Disagreement begins to feel threatening.

In those environments, judgment weakens. Curiosity decreases. The ability to consider new information fades.

The cost isn’t just being misinformed. It’s losing the ability to think clearly at all.

The moment you consider questioning the group, something shifts internally. What if I’m wrong? What if I stand out? What if this changes how people see me?

Your body reacts as if there’s a real threat.

That’s why even thoughtful, capable people stay quiet.

Socrates approached this differently. He asked questions. What do you mean by that? How do we know that’s true? Is there another way to see this?

He created space between assumption and belief. That space is where independent thinking lives.

“Confidence isn’t about having the answer. It’s about being willing to question it.”

Real confidence is the ability to pause, stay curious, tolerate uncertainty, and think independently — even when it’s uncomfortable.

This matters for adults, and it matters for kids. Children learn how to think by watching us. When they see adults question and reflect, they learn that it’s safe to do the same.

Groupthink doesn’t require bad intentions.

It only requires one thing: a lack of judgment.

And while blindly going along with the group may offer the comfort of belonging in the moment, the long-term cost is far greater.

Because when we stop thinking for ourselves, we don’t just risk being wrong…

We risk losing the very parts of ourselves: our individuality, independence, and autonomy, the elements that support real human flourishing and mental well-being.

Suggested Reading: “How to Think Like Socrates” by Donald Robertson. n

Lori Butterworth is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of the Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services. For more information about mental health support for you or your family, contact Lori at 831-222-0052 or visit drloributterworth.com.

SCCAS Featured Pet

Run, Lola, Run!

Lola (A331148), a beautiful and active shepherd, came to the shelter because a landlord changed their pet policy.

She’s lived with other animals, including a small dog and a cat, with whom she’d play, and she did well with chickens and peacocks in her old home. While here at the shelter, she’s played readily with some dogs, but she’s also shown some selectivity, so we recommend a structured introduction here at the shelter if you already have a dog.

Lola was indoor-outdoor previously, sleeping indoors at night. She is house trained and lets you know when she has to go out, although anyone who adopts should expect to do a little bit of remedial house-training while a pet gets used to a new environment, new schedules, and a new lifestyle.

She walks well on a harness and she loves to play fetch and retrieve her ball. She’s been sociable and easy to handle by staff and volunteers, and she’ll thrive with an active adopter who can provide her with some daily mental and physical exercise.

The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is full of adoptable animals. Fostering animals is an awesome way to improve a Shelter animal’s life and fill your home with love and fun! If you are interested in fostering any kind of animal please email jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us. You can also Follow SCCAS on Instagram and/or Facebook to stay up-to-date on shelter news and where to find adoptable pets around town at breweries, stores and events. All adoptions are first come, first served.

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s full-service, open-admission shelter 1001 Rodriguez St., Santa Cruz, 95062 • Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Arrive before 4 p.m. for “meet and greet” — Please ring bell for stray animal drop-off from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.) 580 Airport Blvd., Watsonville, 95076 • Hours: Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.–noon; 1–5 p.m. (Closed Sun/Mon — Please ring bell for stray animal dropoff 9:30 a.m.-noon; 1-5 p.m.) Website: www.scanimalshelter.org

SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us

YRB Raises $40,000 at Annual Event

The Santa Cruz County Youth Resource Bank raised more than $40,000 in community donations its annual “Investing in Our Children” fundraising event on April 25 at the historic cellars of Bargetto Winery.

Guests enjoyed an evening featuring live music by the Matt Masih Trio, a curated selection of Bargetto wines, and gourmet charcuterie provided by The Wild Bite.

Led by award-winning auctioneer Robert Slawinski, attendees participated in both live and silent auctions featuring more than 80 community-donated items. All auction proceeds will directly benefit vulnerable youth and families throughout Santa Cruz County.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the YRB will be able to aid an additional 200 local youth and their families this year. Since 1988, the Youth Resource Bank has supported youth and families in need throughout Santa Cruz County. In 2025 alone, the organization provided support and resources to more than 600 youth.

Ag Commissioner Urges Public to Look for Pests on Grape Plants

The County of Santa Cruz is urging residents to take immediate precautions after the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter was discovered on grape plants sold at Costco stores throughout the wider Bay Area region. The Santa Cruz Costco store was among those that received these grape plants from a wholesale nursery located in Fresno County.

The insect, a type of leafhopper, spreads Pierce’s disease -- a plant bacterium that kills grapevines and can also harm almond, citrus and ornamental plants -- creating a serious risk for California agriculture and home gardens. Anyone who purchased grape vines from Bay Area Costco locations on or after April 21 should contact their county agricultural office to help stop the pest from spreading further.

plants; rather, place two garbage bags over the plant and secure them tightly, then immediately contact the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office at 831763-8080 or Agc002@agdept.com to arrange an inspection.

Native to the southeastern United States and Mexico, the glassy-winged sharpshooter was first identified in California in the 1990s and is now established in parts of central and southern California. The pest threatens the state’s grape industry and is known to feed on more than 250 plant species, damaging vineyards and ornamental landscapes alike.

Jacob’s Heart Golf Fundraiser Seeks Support

Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services has opened registration for its 2026 golf tournament fundraiser, inviting community members to support local families facing childhood cancer through a day of golf and philanthropy.

The Jacob’s Heart Golf Tournament will be held Sept. 11, 2026, at Seascape Golf Club in Aptos. Registration begins at 9 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. shotgun start. The event also includes a reception at 3:30 p.m. and dinner at 5 p.m.

Organizers said proceeds from the tournament will benefit Jacob’s Heart programs serving children with cancer and their families.

The nonprofit is also seeking event sponsors. Sponsorships may be completed through the event registration process or by mailing a check. Sponsorship information, including a sponsor deck and sponsor form, is available through the organization.

For sponsorship questions, attendees may contact Development Manager Eli Garnica at eli@jacobsheart.org or (831) 717-7797.

Paving Projects to Continue Through July

Pavement

rehabilitation projects on bridges and ramps along three state highways in Santa Cruz County began in late May and will continue through July, according to transportation officials.

The work is taking place on Highway 1 at the Highway 17 onramp in Santa Cruz, on Highway 17 near Granite Creek Road in Scotts Valley and on Highway 129 near Blackburn Street in Watsonville.

Statepoint Media

“The glassy-winged sharpshooter is a threat to a variety of agricultural plants, and preventing further spread is critical,” Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner David Sanford said. “We are working closely with Costco, as well as state and local partners, to pinpoint affected plants and safeguard agriculture, home gardens and landscapes. The food supply is not affected. Costco has been responsive and helpful throughout this situation and is not responsible for the discovery. Unfortunately, the issue occurred at the nursery supplier level.”

Residents who purchased grape plants from Costco on or after April 21 should refrain from moving or disposing of the

Motorists can expect intermittent overnight lane and ramp closures throughout the project areas during construction.

Single-lane closures are scheduled intermittently from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday. No lane closures will be in effect from 6 a.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Monday.

Drivers should expect delays of up to five minutes.

Officials said the pavement rehabilitation work is intended to provide a smoother and safer drive for motorists.

The contractor for the $1 million project is Truesdell Corporation. Construction is expected to be completed by July 31, 2026. n